GEORGE TOWN: A local academic has urged DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to stand for election in a racially mixed state constituency as proof of his commitment to being a chief minister for all Penangites.
Sivamurugan Pandian, an associate professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia, said he agreed with Penang Barisan Nasional chief Teng Chang Yeow that the ideal seat for Lim would be one representing large numbers of voters of various races.
Machang Bubok, Bukit Tengah, Sungai Bakap, Seberang Jaya, Batu Uban and Pantai Jerejak are among the seats that fit the bill.
Sivamurugan was commenting on the current media debate between the two rivals that began with a news report indicating that Teng had challenged Lim to an electoral duel.
“It’s a great chance for Lim to prove that he is really a CM for all, not just one particular community,” the lecturer told FMT.
“It’s also an opportunity for DAP to prove it is a multiracial party representing the interests of all ethnic groups.
“It’s important for Lim to receive his mandate from all ethnic groups after ruling Penang for five years.”
Yesterday, Lim said he would give up his parliament seat if Teng would meet him in Padang Kota, where the electorate is composed of 78% Chinese, 16% Indians and 6% Malays.
He said he would not accept any constituency chosen for Teng by Barisan Nasional.
At a press conference early today, Teng said he would like to contest for a multiracial seat because the result would show whether BN or Pakatan had more multiracial support.
“I maintain that I will decide the seat,” he said. “This contest is not about individuals. It is about policies.”
Sivamurugam said he could not understand why Lim would reject Teng’s proposition.
First blood
Teng insisted that he was not the one who drew first blood in the current debate.
“Many questions have been raised as to why I’m imposing conditions when the challenge came from me,” he said. “In fact, it was the opposite.”
He blamed what he said was an erroneous headline in Malaysiakini about the report that started his media repartee with Lim.
He said he should not be held responsible for the headline, which read: “Teng willing to face off with Guan Eng in GE13.”
“That title is the responsibility of Malaysiakini. What I clearly said was, ‘It’s up to Lim to contest against me.’”
He said that when Lim reacted the next day by accepting his challenge, he was “putting words into my mouth”.
“I deem his reaction the next day as his challenge to me. I accepted his challenge and imposed two conditions. One was that I would decide the seat and the other was that Lim could only contest a state seat.”
At a separate press conference today, Penang Umno youth chief Shaik Hussein Mydin also challenged Lim to fight Teng for a racially mixed seat.
“Or else, I can only assume that Lim is a racist and has no guts,” he said.
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