19-09-2008: Guan Eng: Anwar a threat only to BN

19-09-2008: Guan Eng: Anwar a threat only to BN
by Regina William
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PENANG: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is a threat only to the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s position, and not to all Malaysians, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Lim, who was asked to comment on Abdullah’s statement that Anwar was a threat to the nation’s security and economy, said Malaysians in general did not share Abdullah’s views.

“The people in Permatang Pauh did not think so, neither do other Malaysians. The only threat that Anwar poses is to Umno, BN and also Abdullah himself, and this should not be confused as a threat to the entire nation, including the democratic and political process in the country.

“Malaysia is not Umno/BN and Umno/BN is not Malaysia. It is wrong, incorrect and irresponsible of Abdullah to say so.

“I hope the ISA (Internal Security Act) threat is just a remark and not a prelude to a bigger operation which would affect the country,” he told reporters at the launch of the Penang Free WiFi project yesterday.

Lim also congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on his appointment as the finance minister. He said he would seek a meeting with Najib to foster a constructive and fruitful relationship between the state and federal government.

“I will seek to brief him on the situation in Penang and areas of cooperation where the federal government and state government can achieve a win-win situation.

“Even though we do not have a finance minister from Penang, we hope that Najib will prove that he will be fair to Penangites,” he added.

Lim said there were a few issues which would be brought up with Najib, given that Penangites paid taxes in excess of RM5 billion each year, and deserved a fair share of the nation’s wealth.

On SAPP’s withdrawal from BN, Lim said he hoped that more BN component parties including MCA and Gerakan would leave the coalition, especially after the latest ISA arrests.

“MCA and Gerakan keep opposing the ISA arrests outside, but within the cabinet they just shut up. They don’t practise what they preach and we can see who is sincere, like Datuk Zaid Ibrahim who quit as minister because of his steadfast principle against the ISA arrests. Let the people decide who has principles, when it matters,” he added.