Where is the CAT?

DAP's Kota Alam Shah state assemblyman, a Hindraf activist who contested under the Rocket banner, was  suspended for SIX months in September following his suggestion (in his Facebook posting) to replace the Jalur Gemilang. 

The reason given : DAP disciplinary committee chairmanTan Kok Wai said Manoharan’s “improper comments” over the flag were unbecoming for a party standard-bearer.

“We feel this is the right punishment meted out to him,” he said after chairing a four-hour meeting at the DAP headquarters yesterday.

Manoharan has 14 days to appeal against the decision with the party’s central executive committee. 

And then came ... 

DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang's son cum Penang chief minister cum DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng's turn. 

Lim reportedly made the following unsavory remarks against Johor while on an official trip to Singapore in his capacity as the Chief Minister of Penang.

"Iskandar is seen as a very strong competitor ... but if you look in terms of safety and using the Crime Index, Penang was Number 1 in terms of cutting crimes, so you don't have to worry about your safety when you come to Penang.  In Johor, if you are a Singaporean, you are likely to get kidnapped ... you ask any Singaporean they would know but you don't have that problem when you come to Penang.  I am sure investors want to deal with an honest government and not to deal with crooks.  Lynas the rare earth factory in Pahang ... they don't see this huge premium facility benefiting the people as they pose a serious threat to their health and of course safety."

Following a public outcry, Lim read out a conditional apology to the Sultan of Johor and the rakyat in the state for something which he can't remember at all. 

First Lim said he couldn't remember if he had made such remarks. Then he insinuated that it was an off-the-cuff  remark in a closed door or rather private function. 

... and then, Lim Guan Eng the Chief Minister of Penang who has been promoting the CAT policy (Competency, Accountability and Transparency) in the island state said :  

Lim today pointed out that to date, except for the purported audio tape broadcasted by TV3, there was no press report of what he had spoken in Singapore or Australia.

“I have access to the tape of my interview with Radio Australia. I am still trying to locate the tape of what I said in Singapore which was made privately in a closed-door session.

“I have instructed my lawyers to immediately file a suit in court against the BN-controlled media, beginning with Bernama,” he added.

While Lim was trying very hard to jump out of the hot pan which was almost on fire, HINDRAF came to Manoharan's defence while suggesting that Lim Kit Siang's son cannot be treated differently in the DAP. 

Hindraf didn't say it but critics were pointing not only at daddy's influence but also the different skin color.

The pan was on fire. Is DAP a racist party that practiced double-standards?


Suddenly... out of the blue ... the powerful DAP central executive committee lifts Manoharan's SIX month suspension.

A divine intervention it maybe but are we supposed to assume that since Manoharan's suspension has been lifted Lim Guan Eng should be left alone?

In his earlier remarks on Manoharan's suspension, DAP chairman Karpal Singh was very specific:

“I will speak for him to set aside the suspension. He may have committed a serious mistake. But he has been a loyal party member" 

But Karpal Singh also said that action would be taken against Lim Guan Eng if there was proof that the Penang chief minister had indeed made unsavory remarks against his own country while on an official trip in a foreign land. 

Karpal was being very specific too - 

On Lim Guan Eng’s Johor controversy, Karpal said the DAP secretary-general was not subjected to any internal disciplinary action because there had been no evidence yet to prove he had uttered such disparaging remarks.

He said Penang Chief Minister Lim had stated that he was still looking for evidence to prove that he had condemned Johor as a crime prone state.

Karpal denied the party was practising double standards in dishing out punishment on members’ misconduct.

He insisted that even top party leaders, including Lim, would be subjected to disciplinary action if he was found guilty of any wrongdoings.

Last night Lim told PAS 60th anniversary forum that he apologised to the Sultan of Johor because he did not want he or his party to be seen as against the ruler and people.

But he neither confirmed nor denied that he had condemned Johor during a private luncheon organised by the Foreign Correspondents Association of Singapore on Aug 12. - FMT

So, are you still looking for the tape recording YAB Lim Guan Eng?  Should try getting hold of your elusive CAT, don't you think so?

I'm sure the DAP's CEC will be waiting for the evidence... from you and the BIGCAT.  

Good Luck YAB Chief Minister !