Media statement by Lim Guan Eng in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, 18^th June 2011: 

Chua should explain why he supported a corrupt BN Sarawak 

MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek should explain why he supported and campaigned for a corrupt BN Sarawak and its Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud during the Sarawak general elections. Chua was reported in Malaysian Insider that DAP may fail to repeat its Sarawak polls success in peninsular Malaysia as the Chinese vote swing there was based on dissatisfaction against cronyism and an allegedly corrupt state administration.

Instead of attacking corruption, Dr Chua has chosen to attack the Chinese voters for voting against BN by threatening to withdraw from government if MCA loses again in the next general elections. Clearly, Dr Chua's was only forced to this tacit admission of the stench of corruption hanging over Tan Sri Abdul Taib after Switzerland President Micheline Calmy-Rey ordered a full investigation of money laundering against Abdul Taib to demonstrate the Swiss government's commitment to fighting against corruption and the restitution of embezzled funds to respective countries.

Chua's desperate attempt at damage control is no different from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). MACC only confirmed its investigation into Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud over allegations of timber corruption only after the Swiss' investigation. This is a shameful example of trying to "bolt the stable doors after the horses have bolted"

Chua should explain the rationale and logic of supporting MCA when MCA does not fight moral and financial corruption but is willing to campaign for a corrupt BN Sarawak state administration and Chief Minister.

Is Chua willing to explain why he did not raise the loss of RM52 billion of bumi shares meant for poor Malays and East Malaysian natives that were "hijacked" by BN leaders? Or explain whether he is going to take action against MCA Vice-President Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen for spending RM1.8 million to set up 6 Facebook pages when it is available for free?

So long as Chua can not demonstrate MCA's firm commitment and unyielding resolve to fight corruption wherever they exists, MCA's threat to withdraw from government is meaningless and irrelevant. Malaysians have lost hundreds of billions of ringgit from corrupt practices. Even Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala had warned that Malaysia could be bankrupt by 2019. Only Malaysians can save the country from bankruptcy by rejecting leaders who are corrupt or removing leaders supporting those who are corrupt.

*Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister, DAP Secretary General & MP for Bagan