Rais, tell the truth and shame the devil

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim has made a dangerous statement with his false claim that at an official function he attended in the Penang, only Mandarin and English were spoken. Rais should not lie like Utusan Malaysia but prove which Penang state government official function he attended sidelined Bahasa Malaysia

I suspect that the official function that Rais is referring to is a function in Han Chiang College in Penang where he was the guest of honour representing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on 29 September 2011. I would like to remind Rais that Han Chiang College is a privately run college and the function was organised by Han Chiang and NOT by the state government.

Rais’ claims that he was the only one talking in the national language and a little bit of English, is untrue. I had also spoken in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin. Why did Rais not mention that I also spoke in Bahasa Malaysia? If Rais was unhappy with the manner Han Chiang organised the event, why then did he not convey his unhappiness with Han Chiang? Why did he not demand an explanation from Han Chiang?

Apologise if you cannot show proof

Instead Rais has chosen to unfairly blame the state government for a function that is organised by a private college. Making false allegations against the Penang state government is clearly intended to play the racist sentiment that Penang does not appreciate Bahasa Malaysia and not good for national unity. Rais had even urged the Malays in Penang to question this event.

If Rais can prove which Penang state government official function attended by him did not use Bahasa Malaysia, the Penang state government will act to correct this mistake. However if he fails to show proof, then he should withdraw his remarks and apologise. Otherwise he would be exposed as a man without honour and even a racist for trying to use this lie to work up the sentiments of the Malays.

The Penang state government wishes to express dismay at the systematic and serial attempts to undermine the Penang state government with lies and racist sentiments. Even though this is to be expected in the general elections season, raising the racial temperature is not only desperate but a highly irresponsible and reckless act that threatens the harmony and stability of our society.

Media attack

Even if BN wants to win the general elections, this victory should be with honour based on truth and not lies.

I am surprised at the ferocity of BN’s latest attacks against the Penang state government and me personally. I will not reply to Rais personal attacks against me. Rais attack follows the ludicrous report in the New Straits Times(NST) and Utusan Malaysia on 2.10.2011 that I may have disclosed national secrets to Singaporeans at a dinner and even questioned my loyalty to my country.

I can not understand why my loyalty to Malaysia is questioned by the NST news report when I do not possess any Australian PR even though I graduated from Monash University. Shouldn’t it be BN leaders who have Australian PR who should have their loyalty questioned in the NST news report?

Datuk Seri Rais, the ball is in your court, what say you?

- Lim Guan Eng is the DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister

Back in 1990, when I was managing a club, I had a chance meeting with Rais Yatim in the club lobby. He had a pleasant disposition, articulated himself excellently in English with an almost English accent, and told me how he in S46, together with DAP and PAS, have plans to bring down the BN in the coming GE. He spoke excitingly of the changes that would lie ahead should the Opposition take over the government. The conversation we had lasted 10 minutes and I walked away very much impressed with Rais' commitment to the Opposition cause and his gentleman-like demeanour. During the entire time, he did not converse a word in BM. Sad to say, he is definitely a changed person now and it's all because of which side of the bread is being buttered.