Lim Guan Eng dares Zahid, demands Penang Pakatan expel Umno and defer hikes

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 14 — DAP’s Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng has questioned why Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dared the Pakatan Harapan-led federal government to expel Umno from Putrajaya, but did not issue the same challenge to Penang’s PH administration.

Lim noted that Umno holds positions in the Penang state executive council, both city councils and state linked companies. He suggested Zahid lacked the courage to push Penang PH because the coalition would still retain a two thirds majority in the state assembly even without Umno’s two elected representatives.

He accused Umno of exploiting the Penang PH leadership’s hesitation over the party’s “duplicitous role” — working with opposition Perikatan Nasional while remaining part of the state government. Lim warned PH supporters were well aware that Umno and PAS would continue to pursue “extremist politics and divisive rhetoric” to win power at all costs.

Lim urged the Penang government to counter what he described as opportunistic and hypocritical behaviour by Umno and Barisan Nasional with people centric policies. He proposed deferring hikes in charges, quit rent, water tariffs and parking rates to close the door on Umno, PAS, MCA and Gerakan.