Guan Eng hits out at ‘open house’ protesters, says disrespectful

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today expressed outrage at a group of protestors who turned up at his Chinese New Year open house yesterday, calling their action “extreme”. He said he could not recall any such incident ever taking place in Malaysia during an open house event. Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, also said the protest showed disrespect towards the Chinese New Year celebration and could cause tension. “I cannot remember any open house that was disrupted by demonstrators. I don't think this ever happened before in the history of this country. This is the first time. “It is shocking that there is a group of extremists like this that would disrupt a open house and disrespect the Chinese New Year celebrations, or any celebration. “Before this, any open house, whether organised by Barisan Nasional or other parties, could proceed smoothly," he told reporters at the Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta this morning. It was reported that a group of about 30 people had gathered outside the Penang International Sports Arena yesterday and held a protest demanding that Lim answered allegations that DAP received RM1.2 billion from Israel. It was reported that the protest was organised by Persatuan Muka Buku, which had in the past been critical of the DAP-led state government. Lim said it was fortunate that the 15,000 people, who attended the open house yesterday, remained calm despite many of them feeling upset by the disruption. "We are very thankful that nothing untoward happened. If it had been at other places, there is no telling what could have happened," he said. He said if the group had problems, the state government would have allowed peaceful protests to be held. “We allow the freedom of staging protests in Penang. Everyone has the right to protest peacefully. But what they were protesting against was not an issue affecting the people. “They staged the protest based on a slanderous accusation (against DAP) that I met with Israeli leaders and DAP received RM1.2 billion. Their reason to stage the protest itself was shocking as well. “I think these people have political motives because those who lied (about the Israeli allegations) are from DAP's rivals,” he said. Lim said he would have landed himself in prison a long time ago if such an accusation was true. “If it was true that I met Israeli leaders, I am sure a motion would had been passed in Parliament to condemn and have me suspended, just like what they have done to Nurul Izzah,” he said. Lim was referring to the actions taken against Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar of PKR, who took a photograph last year with Sulu princess Jacel Kiram, the daughter of self-proclaimed Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram III, the man who masterminded the 2013 Lahad Datu incursion in Sabah. “This is a malicious slander and yet there are people who would stage a protest over it at the open house of the chief minister,” he said. – February 9, 2016.