Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's recent tussle with a state development officer over allegations of sand theft in Balik Pulau has got him into a verbal brawl.

teoh beng hock memorial night 160710 guan eng The officer, Nik Ali Mat Yunus, had burst out in a press conference held at the state Umno headquarters today, calling Lim " biadap" (rude).

The very angry Nik Ali said it was not the first time that Lim ( left ) had intervened in the work of the civil service.

"I cannot tolerate the misconception he has over the work we are doing," he added.

Nik Ali then distributed his statement to the press, saying that the sand theft in Balik Pulau has nothing to do with the SDO (state development officer) as the issuing of permits is under the state district office.

This included enforcement, monitoring and if necessary, taking action against any wrongdoing which involved land issues within the state, he added.

"The CM's statement that the SDO was not competent, useless, not professional, cowardly and should resign immediately is an extremely rude statement and should not be hurled upon me by someone with the position of chief minister," charged Nik Ali.

"I am very disappointed with this statement because never have I heard any chief minister make such an accusation towards a civil servant, except Lim Guan Eng," he added.

The issue surfaced recently when Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhamad Farid Saad claimed that sand thieves had struck at a plot in Kampung Kenanga which had been earmarked for a government polytechnic.

Not qualified

Yesterday, Lim accused Nik Ali of being responsible for his tiff with Farid.

He added Nik Ali was not qualified to be the SDO and alleged not cooperating with Lim on the matter.

Lim had said it was difficult for the state to probe the matter as the land came under the Federal Government's Department of Lands and Mines.

Nik Ali alleged that this was Lim's third "rough" statement against him, as the latter had previously labeled him as having a "forked tongue" ( lidah biawak ), was an "incompetent officer" and a "little Napoleon".

"I would like to remind Lim to be careful when saying these things which are personal attacks in nature without first investigating the facts related to the structure, role, power and jurisdiction of the state and federal governments," he said.

"I would like to reiterate that Lim has no locus standi to evaluate me as incompetent. Only the chief of the State Secretariat, public services director, or the minister in the Prime Minister's Department has the authority," he added.

He said he is aware that there were limitations for civil servants to issue press statements, but in this case he has no choice because Lim will continue to say he is a coward if he does not speak up.

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