Shabudin slams Guan Eng for one-on-one challenge

KEPALA BATAS: Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya slammed Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for issuing a challenge for a one-on-one meeting, describing the veteran politician as immature.

"Instead of calling me for a one-on-one meeting, he should hand the issue to the authorities to investigate and decide.

"Why must he challenge me to meet him? Or does he want to have a 'coffee break' with me? I am only interested in working with SPRM towards the investigation of the course scandal and Taman Manggis land sale,” said Shabudin at a press conference at his service centre.

" I think he is trying to divert the main focus raised in Parliament to the issue of me not meeting him and then accusing me a coward," said Shabudin.

"The invitation by Bagan MP (Lim) is a cheap political gimmick," Shabudin added.

The Penang chief minister has come under fire for allegedly purchasing the bungalow on below market price.

Shabudin, who made the revelation at Parliament last Thursday, claimed that the house, on 10,161 sq ft (943.98 sq metres) of land, was bought by Lim on Oct 25 last year for RM2.8mil.

According to Shabudin, the market value of the property was between RM6mil and RM6.5mil.

Lim then threw a challenge to Shabudin the next day for a one on one "Seek Truth from Facts" meeting at his office in Komtar on Sunday.

This allegation had also attracted the attention of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), who said that a fresh investigation paper will be filed against him.

To this, Lim called for the anti-graft body to expedite the investigation so he could prove that there were no elements of corrupt practices in the purchase.

He also claimed that the purchase was made through an open tender, and on willing seller-willing buyer basis.