Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng will wait and see whether Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who was recently appointed to the Prime Minister’s Department, will continue to allegedly “discriminate and victimise” Penang.

Lim said that if Rahman – the former urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister – continues to “politicise the function of a ministry, Penang and other states under the opposition will always be victimised”.

Rahman, who is also BN strategic communications director, is now in charge of the Economic Planning Unit, replacing former minister Abdul Wahid Omar.

“If they want to continue to victimise Penangites, then it is not only Penang that will suffer but Malaysia as well; bear in mind that Penang contributes 25 percent of the total exports and imports of the country,” Lim told reporters after attending the launching of the Penang Institute’s new building in George Town today.

Unfortunately, not many of the ministers adopt the constructive attitude of Tourism Minister Nazri Mohamed Aziz, Lim said.

For Nazri, if the number of tourists had increased in Penang, then it would only mean that the number of tourists had increased for Malaysia as well, Lim added.

“Why discriminate, prosecute or punish Penang? Unfortunately, many ministers do not share this view,” said the DAP secretary-general.

“They take a very vindictive approach towards Penang because Penangites want to elect their own government that is people-centric and not crony-centric,” Lim said.

Nevertheless, Rahman has vowed to embark on programmes that will bring the EPU closer to the rakyat.

Lim is not too happy with Rahman as the Kota Belud MP has continued to haunt him with questions, while casting doubts on the state’s plan to construct the RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel and three highways on the island.

Lim said this was something his administration has to deal with since he took office in 2008.

He added that the federal government must realise that victimising or marginalising any state was undemocratic, unfair and would not lead to sustainable or balanced development.

“In the end, the country and people suffer. This is something the federal government has to decide for itself – whether it wants to continue to discriminate and prosecute Penang,” Lim said.

He cited the example of Penang developers not being able to obtain licences for advertising permits from the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry when Rahman was its minister, prior to Najib’s latest cabinet reshuffle, which was announced yesterday.

Lim said such unfairness and injustice would lead to abuses as some states were punished, while others – under the BN – were not.

He expressed hope that ministers who want a fresh start would stop discriminating, prosecuting and victimising states run by opposition like Penang.

“We find that we are prosecuted and discriminated against even though we show the best financial performance.

“We have the least debt in the country at RM69 million (0.4 percent of total debts owed by other states) yet we are punished while those who are owed more (like Pahang which topped the list) are looked after.

“We will wait and see whether there is any change or whether he (Rahman) will continue to discriminate and victimise Penang, but finally it is the prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak) who has to decide,” Lim said.

Political move

Meanwhile, Lim said it was Najib’s right to appoint whoever he wanted as member of his cabinet.

It was more important to see if the newly-minted ministers can deliver and bring positive changes for the benefit of the people, Lim added.

He noted that several analysts had pointed out that the reshuffle was more of a political move as Najib was rewarding those who remained loyal to him, while he continued to face local and international pressure from the 1MDB and RM2.6 billion scandals.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing despite a mountain of allegations and attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali has cleared his name.

Lim also congratulated Johari Abdul Ghani who was appointed as Finance Minister II.

He said Johari has always performed well in Parliament, showing more interest in facts than in emotions.

“We hope he continues to show the same performance. His preference for facts and figures instead of emotions or politics is something very much needed of anyone who holds the Finance Ministry portfolio,” Lim said.

“We feel this is one appointment which deserves to be applauded, but we are not so sure of others, as some were promoted either due to their political performance or loyalty,” he added.