A video featuring the father of DAP Sungai Pinang assemblyperson Lim Siew Khim's sitting among victims of alleged bribery to obtain low-cost houses has been featured on a Facebook page.

The five-minute clip featuring Siew Khim's father, Lim Keat Seong, 68, a retiree, was posted on the pro-BN Facebook page yesterday.

At a press conference today, Penang Gerakan questioned the content of the video, saying it smacks of corruption.

"When did this incident, which we suspect involves corruption, happen?” asked the party's acting chairman Oh Tong Keong.

"When did the negotiation take place between the two parties?" Oh asked.

"Is the Uncle Lim mentioned in the video clip the father of Siew Khim? Does she know about this?" he queried.

According to Oh, there were allegedly several victims who paid between RM1,000 and RM2,500 to obtain affordable houses.

However, after paying the money to a middle man, they failed to obtain the units.

In an immediate response, Siew Khim said her father has no power to influence the decision of the Penang government.

"Neither do I. Gerakan's attack is unfounded and without basis," Siew Khim said at her service centre in Jelutong today.

Legal action

Her legal adviser, Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer, warned those who tried to smear Siew Khim's name that they would face the music.

"Any attempt to link Siew Khim to corruption is uncalled for. If they continue to disparage her, we will take legal action," Rayer added.

Siew Khim said Penang was committed to CAT (competency, accountability, transparency) and the housing selection panel selected applicants based on very strict and transparent criteria.

She appealed to the people not to believe that they could get what they wanted by paying "coffee money".

She reminded housing applicants to always deal with the state Housing Department if they wished to know the status of their applications.

"I advise victims to lodge police report if there are any attempts to solicit money to help them get government housing, and the police are urged to investigate," she said.

"I repeat that I have not done anything wrong," she added.

Siew Khim believed that Gerakan's attack was related to its leaders' tussle for Sungai Pinang.

She claimed that Oh was trying his very best to play up this incident.

She advised Oh not to "jump for joy" as if he could outdo other Gerakan leaders to be the Sungai Pinang candidate by exploiting the issue.

"The one and only reason that Gerakan and Oh have to resort to personal attack is that they cannot find any issues about my performance as elected representative for the past three years," Siew Khim said.

"I am committed to serving the people of Sungai Pinang and I will work even harder to ensure that Sungai Pinang will transform from a backwater to a modern constituency," she added.

Asked if she knew what was her father doing with the alleged bribery victims, Siew Khim said "no".

She added that she only came to know about the video yesterday and has no idea about her father's movements.

Last year, state executive councillor on housing, Jagdeep Singh Deo, warned members of the public not to be fooled by middlemen or individuals posing as state government officials to help them obtain affordable units.

Meanwhile, Gerakan coordinator for Padang Kota, H'ng Khoon Leng, said the party has received similar complaints but did not have evidence like the video clip.

"I urge victims to come forward and lodge complaints with us. You can also call me at 012-4098718, "added H'ng, who is in charge of land and corruption issues.