Penang MCA: Address issue of alleged graft linking rep's father

PETALING JAYA: The Penang government must address the alleged soliciting of bribes over low-cost housing units by the father of Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, according to MCA. 

“The case of Siew Khim’s father Lim Keat Seong allegedly soliciting kickbacks may just be the tip of the iceberg,” warned Penang MCA deputy chairman Tan Teik Cheng (pix) in a statement on Tuesday. 

Tan said it was necessary for the state government to address the case instead of “playing up drama to divert public attention” as the demand by Penangites for low-cost housing was still high in view of exorbitant property prices in Penang. 

On Tuesday, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said it would open investigations into the case after a video clip, allegedly showing Lim’s father appearing to solicit money in order to obtain low-cost housing for people, surfaced on social media. 

Tan in response, questioned the DAP-led state government for issuing “sensational” statements instead of explaining what action the Penang government was taking. 

“Otherwise such dramatic statements only serve to fool the voters and show DAP’s irresponsibility!” he said. 

Tan said claiming ignorance over the matter was “not the best excuse” as the issue had allegedly gone on for four years. 

“This simply shows that she (Lim) does not interact with the voters. 

"If not, why didn’t anyone come forward to inform her that her father is purportedly soliciting money?” questioned Tan, who also said it was unreasonable for Lim to claim that she was unaware of the matter. 

Tan added that the low-cost housing issue has “become a fallacy” since DAP assumed power in the state. 

“Now the rakyat bear the risks of being cheated on home ownership, which enables certain parties with vested interest to take advantage of the situation,” he claimed. 

The five-minute and 20 second video that was posted on social media on Sunday purportedly shows Keat Seong explaining to certain individuals how to “cut queue” in the state’s housing schemes by paying RM260 for the application form and some money to an “Uncle Lim”.   

Lim, who is a first-term assemblyman and mother of five, said on Monday that neither she nor her father had the power to influence the Penang government to approve state housing applications.   

In Penang, the application for low-cost, low-medium-cost and affordable housing units are vetted by an eight-member Selection Process Enhancement Committee. 

There are 35,229 people on the waiting list for affordable homes priced below RM400,000 and below RM250,000 for units on the island and mainland respectively.