Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's action of inviting media representatives to his bungalow in Jalan Pinhorn, Georgetown today is not a necessary move to clear his name, said Penang Umno liaison deputy chief Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

Similarly, he said, the challenge Lim made, which was to have a one-to-one meeting with Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahaya, was also seen to be a 'drama' created by the chief minister to shift the focus from the issue which is currently being hotly debated.

He said Lim should instead answer all the allegations levelled against him in Parliament by Shabudin, who claimed there were elements of corruption linking the purchase of the home worth RM2.8 million, with the sale of state land in Jalan Zainal Abidin, Taman Manggis.

"The issues raised here are similar to that which happened with former Selangor menteri besar Dr Khir Toyo previously, and Lim as a leader must clear his name during the winding-up of the Parliament session which begins tomorrow, if he claims the issues raised are not true.

"Of course the Dewan Rakyat speaker will allow members of Parliament to provide an explanation for any claims made against them, and it is an opportunity for Lim to explain," he told reporters after officially opening the Kepala Batas Umno division annual meeting, today.

At the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, Shabudin, who is also Penang Regional Development Authority board chairman, had requested the Valuation Department to make an assessment on the property costing RM2.8 million bought by the Bagan MP in Jalan Pinhorn, claiming the current market value of the house is said to be more RM3 million.

Shabudin also asked the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate allegations on the sale of several plots of land in Penang which were originally allocated for the construction of houses under the Hardcore Poor Housing Project.

Meanwhile, Reezal Merican said the grassroots at the Kepala Batas Umno Division were firmly behind Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to lead the country.

- Bernama

Related stories

Minister: Lim's house tour 'gimmick' won’t absolve him of graft

Shabudin: No to face-to-face with Penang CM

Guan Eng regrets accuser chickened out of face-to-face meet

Penang CM takes media on tour of his bungalow amid row

Kini Round-up: Guan Eng's 'arrest', AG's removal, Najib-Dr M salvoes