Guan Eng doesn't need to step down: DAP

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng does not need to step down nor take leave from his state government position, the DAP decided today.

Penang Local Government Committee chairman and state DAP head Chow Kon Yeow (pix) said the state committee made the decision after Lim was charged with graft and abuse of power.

He said the decision was taken as party felt the charges against the DAP secretary general were baseless and politically motivated.

He said the state government will not be affected by the prosecution but will continue to perform their duties diligently.

"The state will function as normal," he said at a press conference today after chairing the Penang DAP emergency meeting.

On the RM1 million bail posted by Lim, Chow said RM890,000 was from the Penang DAP while the rest was from the central party leadership.

"We plan to restore the monies to the state committee account and return the funds to the central leadership," the party vice chairman said adding the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) will meet on July 1 at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, Lim's counsel, Gobing Singh Deo said there was no need for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to keep him overnight after arresting him on Wednesday.
He said throughout the investigation, Lim had given the MACC his full cooperation and did not run away.
"When a person does not pose any flight risk, the police normally allowed them to appear in court on their own. This allowance was made in the case of former Selangor Mentri Besar, Dr Mohd Khir Toyo," he added.