Media Statement by Ng Wei Aik in Georgetown on Tuesday, 17^th November 2009:

Thief falsely shouting thief

Penang’s UMNO is running scared following the decision by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to declassify decisions made by the Penang State EXCO and Land Committee minutes on PDC Heritage Hotel Sdn Bhd (PHH) status following UMNO false and baseless attacks to try to undermine the Pakatan Rakyat state government's credibility. Instead of welcoming this declassification in line with the state government’s CAT principles of competency accountability and transparency, Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhamad Farid Saad is not interested but continues to harp on false allegations whether Lim had lied.

Why is UMNO so frightened of the truth being told from declassifying minutes? Or are they afraid that the truth from declassifying the minutes will expose UMNO and BN’s tactics of using their control over the mass media by repeating a lie 1,000 times until it becomes the truth? Like the Malay proverb, the public can now see “who is berani kerana benar” and “who is takut kepada salah”.

This is probably the first time in history that an irresponsible and an undemocratic oppostion party like UMNO does not welcome declassification of minutes to throw light into an issue. The PR state government's initiative to declassify decisions made on PHH without any pressure from the opposition clearly shows that it not only upholds transparency but that it has nothing to hide. If even Transparency International can praise Penang for its anti-corruption efforts, a party like UMNO that has an ingrained culture of corruption accusing the Penang PR government is no different from a “thief falsely shouting thief”.

The state government regrets that UMNO-controlled media like NST continues to falsely accuse Lim of evading questions when he is willing to answer them after the minutes of decisions made are declassified to comply with the laws on secrecy and give a complete picture of the entire PHH project. Why has UMNO or NST not questioned BN for never declassifying minutes on projects approved to protect public interest and accountability?

* Ng Wei Aik, ADUN for Komtar