AS the 15th General Election (GE15) draws near, voters must decide not only the country’s future but also their own future, former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
Guan Eng said the people must realise that their religious beliefs and background are not threatened.
“The people’s religious beliefs and background are not threatened. It is the economic prospects that are threatened.
“This election should not be about race or extremism. It should be about the people’s future and the country’s future. Let us address these issues.
“Economy is the most important issue (at hand) but they want to make race, religion and extremism the most important issues to get the people distracted,” he told a press conference at Wisma DAP in Rangoon Road today.
Guan Eng was commenting on incumbent Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman’s allegation that Guan Eng had transformed the Ministry of Finance (MoF) office to look like a Chinese temple during his tenure and that Guan Eng had allowed the officers to wear shorts when they are on duty in the office.
The allegations were made during the Sinar Harian forum recently.
Tajuddin had also accused Guan Eng of putting up Chinese lanterns in the MoF’s office.
Guan Eng said, during his tenure, the Chinese lanterns were hung in the office only during Chinese New Year.
“Similarly, ketupat were hung during Hari Raya and kolam decorations were placed during Deepavali. Is it wrong to celebrate the various festive seasons that we have in Malaysia?” he said.
Guan Eng said he is taking legal action against Tajuddin for his allegations.
“I have instructed my lawyers to send a letter of demand to his office in Kuala Lumpur.
“This is slander, and I must take legal action against him. This is not just to defend me, but also to show the people that we do not tolerate racism and extremism.
“The people must decide their future. Do we want to have a better life than now? We must not be distracted by those who promote racism and extremism.
“Don’t allow this election to ‘save’ certain individuals,” he said.
Quoting an article by academician Mohammad Agus Yusoff, Guan Eng said voters aged 18 to 39 made up 51.24% of the total number of eligible voters.
“I hope that everyone will open their minds and come together to say no to extremism and racism.
“What was written by the academician was spot on. It is time for voters to vote based on merit, character and excellence of the party and candidate so that we can build a progressive nation,” Guan Eng said.
In addition, the incumbent Bagan MP also expressed his disappointment that neither the Federal Government nor the caretaker prime minister was focusing on the rising cost of living and the weak Malaysian ringgit against other foreign currencies.
“Why was there no reaction? Are these issues not important?” he questioned.
Also present were Senator Lim Hui Ying, Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, incumbent Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer, and incumbent Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai.