YOURSAY | ‘To safeguard the good name of his party, he needs to give full details on the purchase.’

Guan Eng says house ordinary bungalow, not a mansion

Roguekiller: Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahya, you have alleged that Penang CM Lim Guan Eng bought the house last year at RM2.8 million, when it was valued at RM2.5 million in 2008.

You are assuming a possible kickback for the seller as the price has only increased by only RM300,000. Do you have any proof to back up your claim, Shabudin? If not, you could be waiting to be sued.

Houses ranging from RM300,000 to RM800,000 have skyrocketed to RM1 million to 1.8 million, but houses above RM2 million are not so attractive, because very few can afford them.

Why don't you, Shabudin, appoint a property valuation expert to ascertain the price of the said house? Do also bear in mind, ready seller/ready buyer affects the price of the house.

Neutral Point: For those who accused Guan Eng (LGE), please take a drive to Pinhorn and look at the so-called bungalow house and you will have the answer.

It’s a simple old house compared with those belonging to any of the Umno cabinet members. So don't jump the gun and be trapped by this Umno propaganda.

Pemerhati: So far there has been no solid evidence to indicate that top DAP leaders are corrupt. Now a serious allegation of corruption has been made against a top DAP leader.

To safeguard the good name of his party, Guan Eng needs to give full details of the property purchased such as the land and built-up area and the last known selling price of similar properties in the area.

He should also give full financial details such as the amount of loan he took and the monthly instalments.

People can then decide if what his Umno critics are saying is true or if they, just like their top leaders, are telling lies.

Sleepy: I agree that all public figures must declare all such purchases even if it is a private transaction, but it must never be restricted to some only.

Non-Politician: Houses in Jalan Pinhorn are varied in structure but certainly it is an exclusive and an expensive area, and an old house does not mean it would have to be cheap.

In any event, the selling price depends on the relationship between the buyer and seller and it would not be fair, without evidence, to impute anything negative about the purchase price even if the valuation report indicates otherwise.

Anonymous 560221439180274: You purchase a house for RM2.8 million and call it ordinary.

What was the cost of your first house you bought as a budding politician? I am sure it was just a double-storey terrace unit, which cost you no more than RM200,000 or RM300,000. That, my friend, was ordinary.

Assuming you want to live your life according to your new-found status as CM, and therefore require a bungalow unit, don't you think as a public figure, the rakyat have every right to know the details of the financial transaction.

If you want others to be transparent, you must also have to be transparent.

Mushiro: It is Shabudin’s right to question Guan Eng, but let Guan Eng explain.

It appears that Guan Eng cannot even buy a house with 10 percent off from the market value. But Shabudin does not seem to have eyes for all the grossly overpriced properties owned by Umno ministers and their families.

What about properties bought by government agencies at overinflated prices or sold by government agencies at very much below market price?

Anonymous 759201436321741: This dispute could be settled quite easily. The Inland Revenue Board can assess the house for property tax purposes by inputting a fair market price.

If no action is taken by them, the answer is this - lies, damn lies and Shabudin.

Versey: If one believes in democracy, then like every ordinary rakyat, Guan Eng has every right to rebut any accusations that he thinks is unjust, and with ill intention to smear his name.

Only the twisted mind failed to see oneself as a "little man" who grabs every opportunity to berate others regardless of the veracity of issue/story but disprove the receiving party to counter with opposing evidence.

Never mind: Guan Eng should say the house was partly a "donation" from a Penangite as the donor was impressed by him, who has contributed for the well-being of the rakyat.

The attorney-general will have no case to charge him for buying a house partly donated by a well-wisher.

Donations are, after all, tax free .

On CM’s house buy, action speaks louder than words

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