Guan Eng hits back at Zahid for politicising 2017 Penang floods

After continuously being reminded by an Umno MP about the 2017 Penang flooding, DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng has hit back, criticising Umno leaders for using natural disasters as a political tool against leaders within the coalition government’s parties.

Lim’s comments came after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last week reminded him of a 2017 phone call in which the former reportedly sought the latter’s assistance with flood relief efforts in his Bagan constituency in Penang.

Addressing the issue on X yesterday, Lim stated that Zahid should neither exploit the tragedy nor misrepresent Lim’s desperate call, which was made during a crisis that claimed seven lives.

In a series of tweets, Lim further elaborated on the call he made to Zahid.

While he expressed appreciation for Zahid’s willingness to answer his call at 3.38am, he regretted that this was now being used as a political weapon seven years later.

“Using natural disasters as a political weapon, especially against leaders in the coalition government based on false reports, does nothing to bolster confidence in Umno’s commitment to solidarity and unity within the government.”

‘Misplaced criticisms’

Previously, it was reported that Zahid planned to meet with Lim following the latter’s alleged claim that Umno ministers had not been as supportive of Penang or his Bagan constituency.

During a Dewan Rakyat session on Nov 5, fellow Umno MP Mohd Isam Mohd Isa also responded to Lim, reminding him of the 2017 call and defending the work of Umno ministers, dismissing the Bagan MP’s criticisms as entirely misplaced.

However, Isam seemed to be referring to a misreported statement by the DAP leader.

Commenting on the issue, Lim stated that it is irrational for Zahid and Isam to criticise him over a tragedy that occurred seven years ago simply due to Free Malaysia Today’s reporting error.

“FMT has also publicly expressed regret over their false report and has made the necessary corrections,” he added briefly.

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