CAP chief upset with Guan Eng over accusation

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has described Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's accusation of it being selective in its criticism as highly irresponsible and unethical.

“They think we are irresponsible. We live our lives for the people. I am not seeking political power. I am not seeking any reward,” a visibly emotional CAP president S.M. Mohamad Idris shouted as he banged his fist on the table during a press conference.

He said that Lim still believed in the Bush doctrine that “if you are not with me, you are against me”.

Mohamad Idris, who was labelled an “old man” by Lim last year, said he could understand that Lim was under mounting pressure with the upcoming general election.

“But you must be careful with your comments and not make wild allegations.

“That is what separates a statesman from a quarrelsome politician,” said Mohamad Idris.

Lim had reportedly slammed CAP for criticising the cross-channel tunnel project, questioning how Mohamad Idris could oppose the proposed project “objectively and factually” when he had not attended any meetings organised by the state government on the project.

“Our doors are always open,” Lim had said in an open letter to Mohamad Idris.

Yesterday, Mohamad Idris declined the open invitation at the CAP office, pointing out that he could not accept the publicised personal invitation “as in our culture, we do not invite people to meetings by open letters”.

He also described Lim as being undemocratic and unwilling to discuss any concerns that were adverse to his initiatives.

Meanwhile, Penang Barisan Nasional Youth wants Lim to explain the drastic increase in cost for the proposed undersea tunnel and three road projects.

State Barisan information chief H'ng Khoon Leng said the announcement by the Chief Minister in September 2011 during an investment seminar was that the projects would cost an estimated RM4.08bil.

“However, Penangites are now told that these projects will cost RM6.3bil, a huge difference of RM2.22bil,” he said at the state Barisan Nasional operations centre in Datuk Keramat Road here yesterday.

The undersea tunnel is one of four mega projects proposed by Lim.

The others are a 4.6km bypass linking Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, 12km Tanjung Bungah-Teluk Bahang paired road and a 4.2km road between Gurney Drive and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.