1. As I said before, I am prepared to accept the challenge for an open debate live on television with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng even though he dared not accept my two (2) conditions.

2. Instead, Guan Eng imposed two conditions in return. His first condition is that I must not impose any condition. His second condition is that he insists on the so-called “land scams” as the topic for debate.

3. In other words, while he imposes and insists on his own two conditions, he rejects my two conditions. This shows Lim Guan Eng as the CM in government wants to have his way, but refuses to consider my reasonable request as a leader in the opposition.

4. This is best described by an old Chinese proverb, “The government leaders can commit arson, yet the common people are not allowed to light candles.”

5. He is free to raise the so-called “land scams” in the debate. Here, I want to highlight that, while I am prepared to accept his two conditions, Lim Guan Eng is afraid to accept my two conditions.

6. This is already a “handicap of four-zero (4-0)” in favour of Lim Guan Eng in the debate even though it is very unfair to me. I am also still concerned that the debate may affect the upcoming court hearing on the land case.

7. Lim Guan Eng is unreasonable in refusing my request for access to the relevant files and documents of the case to refresh my memory. Obviously, he is trying to deny me a level playing field in the debate, because he himself has access to all the files and documents in the government offices while I do not.

8. By refusing to allow me to access such basic information, he is not practising what he preaches, namely the principle of transparency in his so –called ‘C.A.T’ ( Competency, Accountability and Transparency) government.

9. Although I can recall roughly the basic aspects of this case, I cannot remember exact facts and dates related to this case, which spanned a period of 5 years.

10. In his press statement two (2) days ago, Lim Guan Eng said that, when he was in the opposition, he criticized the government’s policies and implementation without asking for government files. So, he argued why should I need to look at government files and documents now that I am in the opposition?

11. Of course, if I am criticising the Pakatan Rakyat state government’s present or future policies and programmes, I need not and should not ask for files. Even then, Barisan Nasional elected representatives as opposition members can still ask for facts and figures through questions or debates in the State Legislative Assembly. Lim Guan Eng as the CM is obliged to give such information.

12. However, in this case, he was making allegations against the previous state administration under my leadership. In other words, although he is presently the CM, he is taking on the role as opposition against the previous state government.

13. Therefore, in answering to his allegations, I as the former CM need to refer to relevant files and documents of the previous state government for information, so that my answers will be correct and exact.

14. Since Lim Guan Eng is unwilling and even afraid to allow me access to some basic information, I just have to rely on my own memory in my replies and upcoming debate. Therefore, if the information I can recall is not as accurate and exact, it cannot be twisted as evidence that I am trying to mislead the public.

Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon
Acting President PGRM