The Barisan Nasional leadership should accept responsibility for the RM100 million debt allegedly owed to private companies for printing election posters, banners and other materials for the general election concluded on March 21, said Penang DAP chairperson Chow Kon Yeow.

Speaking at a dinner to mark the party's 38th anniversary in Penang last night, he said the BN would be keeping its word to eradicate corruption and malpractice if it settles the debt immediately, instead of disclaiming responsibility .

On July 7, malaysiakini had reported that a group of suppliers - which had provided posters, badges, banners, caps and mineral water for the ruling coalition's election campaign - had claimed BN owes them an estimated RM100 million.

The suppliers - some of them are major printing and mineral water firms - struck a deal with Kuala Lumpur-based Elegant Advisory Sdn Bhd, a company which had claimed to have secured a lucrative 'government contract' to supply the ruling coalition with campaign paraphernalia.

However, BN said it would not take any action and that it was up to the companies concerned to act on their own behalf, for example, by lodging a police report.

Chow, who is also the Tanjung member of Parliament, said this matter has cast a shadow over the integrity and accountability of the BN leadership. In April, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had launched a National Integrity Plan against corruption and misuse of power.

He said the BN should investigate the matter immediately to find out what happened and to resolve it amicably.

"Everyone saw the quality of the BN posters, banners and streamers during the election campaign. It does not make sense when BN leaders claim that they are not responsible for the debt - this tarnishes the image of the country and government," Chow said.

Also present at the dinner - attended by some 600 supporters - were DAP national chairperson and parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, national vice-chairperson Karpal Singh, Bagan MP Lim Hock Seng and Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng.

Checks and balances

In his speech, Lim reiterated that the DAP would continue to speak out fearlessly to safeguard the public interest, protect citizens' constitutional rights, eradicate corruption and advocate good governance, despite being outnumbered by BN in Parliament.

He said democracy is at a dangerous and precarious crossroads because Malaysians have given BN a huge parliamentary majority .

"Absolute majority will lead to sheer arrogance, total disregard for fundamental liberty, disrespect for constitutional rights and abuse of power," he said.

"The DAP has a tough task ahead to provide checks and balances and to protect the people's interests and benefits. But we are up to the task."

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini 's Penang-based stringer.