By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 5 — Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon denied allegations by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng that he is not sincere about the Kampung Buah Pala debate.
The former Penang Chief Minister argued that his only condition is that there be transparency and accountability in the televised debate.
“The condition is not a show of insincerity... in fact, he should be sincere in accepting my condition to be transparent. That means he is not prepared to be transparent.
"I am prepared to ask him to make public all the exco minutes during my time related to Kampung Buah Pala, let everybody know. And I have asked the same for his exco minutes so he should be prepared,” he said.
Koh agreed to take on his successor Lim in a nationwide televised debate after he was challenged to show proof that the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state administration had finalised the Kampung Buah Pala land deal.
However, Koh’s agreement comes with certain pre-conditions, which he insists Lim has to fulfil by Oct 7, failing which the debate would not take place.
Koh demands that Lim publicly disclose the full text of all minutes related to discussions on the Kampung Buah Pala issue in all state executive council meetings during the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) and current PR administrations.
He also wants Lim to answer three questions — did the PR leaders, especially those in the DAP, promise Kampung Buah Pala residents before and during the 12th general election that if they were elected into power, the residents could own and stay on the land as it would not be allowed to be developed; before the Kampung Buah Pala land was alienated to the Penang State Civil Service Co-operative, did it belong to the state government or the residents; and why did Lim allow the transfer of the Kampung Buah Pala land titles to come into effect on March 27, 2008, almost three weeks after he was voted into power and despite being approached by villagers on March 12?
Lim has since shot back and said that if Koh was sincere then he would not have placed any conditions for the televised debate.
Koh said he would leave it to the people to decide who was truly sincere.
“I am surprised the champion of transparency is not ready to be transparent himself,” he told reporters after launching a Public Complaints Management seminar at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
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Comments (41)
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written by wkc, October 05, 2009
written by wkc, October 05, 2009
Coward Koh, transparency and accountability are alien words to you and your masters. In your long reign, when has there ever been transparency and accountabilty ? It was all about grabbing the projects and contracts worth billions of $$$. The dirt and mess in Penang were all accumulated during your reign. When faced with people who trample on your photo, there was not a single whimper from you. But here you are talking so loud and brave about transparency and accountability.
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written by kz, October 05, 2009
written by kz, October 05, 2009
KTK, why don't you ask Najib to declassify the Cabinet meeting minutes first? Since you're a part of that government, shouldn't be too hard for even you to do.
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written by greateagle, October 05, 2009
written by greateagle, October 05, 2009
Mr. Koh with your background and experience,its commonsense that in a debate of such nature you can table your request as one of the agenda without having to demand a precondition.Only during the debate can the public decide who is truly TRANSPARENT.Your request of a precondition shows your insecurity and fear.
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written by Alligator, October 05, 2009
written by Alligator, October 05, 2009
Chicken Koon a debate is a debate why ask for this and ask for that. Just like you asking to be a backdoor minister after declaring to the world that you will not accept a senatorship. They said like father like son so you have here like mentor like student. What say you Lim Keng Yaik. Poor sole this Lim Keng Yaik watching his handpick student's balls being kickk left and right like a ding dong by Penang mamaks and now by Penangnites.
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written by rocky, October 05, 2009
written by rocky, October 05, 2009
people know you are not sincere. you are the one who signed away the land without even consulting the residents. so go take a hike. go and do soem work la back door minister, even that Idris Jala needs to help you. gaji buta ka?
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written by anak Penang, October 05, 2009
written by anak Penang, October 05, 2009
No point to have the debate, the Penang people know the true colour of Yang Amat Berlakon Koh Tsu Koon,
just berlakon for his own pocket only. LGE should concentrate to make Penang progress. Make Penang administratively efficient. Dont waste time with KTK who has been rejected by all Malaysian, that's is why he needs to continue berlakon in front of UMNO.
just berlakon for his own pocket only. LGE should concentrate to make Penang progress. Make Penang administratively efficient. Dont waste time with KTK who has been rejected by all Malaysian, that's is why he needs to continue berlakon in front of UMNO.
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written by PC Stone, October 05, 2009
written by PC Stone, October 05, 2009
Koh, now that Idris Jala is doing your jobs, you are free to argue with you nemesis ah ? You had your last 15 years, so please leave Yang Berhormat Lim GE to do this real works...!
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written by Loh Yeow Boo - Penang, October 05, 2009
written by Loh Yeow Boo - Penang, October 05, 2009
What is this puppet talking about? He should ask himself how transparent he was when he was CM of Penang. What has he done for Penang? Compared with Singapore, Penang is now so far behind in terms of economic progress, standard of living, etc.....and corruption is so rampant.
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written by lim goh tong, October 05, 2009
written by lim goh tong, October 05, 2009
Koh - you just go and debate lah. if you are sincere - then drop all conditions. Please dont patronize us - we are intelligent people can decide who is lying and who tells the thruth.
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written by Edwin, October 05, 2009
written by Edwin, October 05, 2009
Stop arguing you guys and get back to work.
We are not interested in this Kampung Buah Pala issue anymore.
Problem solved, please move on.
We are not interested in this Kampung Buah Pala issue anymore.
Problem solved, please move on.
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written by streetfighter, October 05, 2009
written by streetfighter, October 05, 2009
Ai ya. LGE. Don't be fooled by LTK. He want you to declasify the docs and agree to the 3 pre - conditions because KTK want to prepare himself to hentam you . Otherwise , he will malu on the stage when you wallop him left , right and centre as this will be a live telecast on national TV .
Of course, we all know that these documents and info that KTK wanted can be revealed during the live debate and every one in the whole world can see for themselves. But the doctorate holder does not know this and want to have the docs first to prepare himself.
Common KTK. Win like a man . Lose like a man.
If you don't have the guts , please concede defeat.
Of course, we all know that these documents and info that KTK wanted can be revealed during the live debate and every one in the whole world can see for themselves. But the doctorate holder does not know this and want to have the docs first to prepare himself.
Common KTK. Win like a man . Lose like a man.
If you don't have the guts , please concede defeat.
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written by drago, October 05, 2009
written by drago, October 05, 2009
Mr Koh, for heaven's sake, please go in peace, leave politics once and for all. Your time is over.
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written by penang kia, October 05, 2009
written by penang kia, October 05, 2009
As a penangite, i definitely gain hatred in koh tsu koon for what he did during his term as CM. He has made penang behind at least 20 years in development. As an alumni of chung ling, i shamed on you. Small group of young penangite has benefit from him especially in electronic sector which the engineer get average 50% salary higher than other field. Other than electronic, find your job out side. Pls, Koh Tsu Koon, DO NOT DISTURB LIM GUAN ENG from developing Penang. Although Guan eng may face difficulty at the beginning due to cut of monies from Federal, but as long as Guan eng can slash bribery and run a clean government, penang will be successful in next 20 years.
I hope Lim guan eng can attract more investors to invest in penang, sack all the useless lecturers in USM, run a true research in USM, slash bribery, slash all red tape, even we dont have astonish building, penang also can succeed. Just lead penangite, just tell penangite what you wanna do, we will hear you and contribute to you as we afford. we hope you can build a second Singapore in South east asia.
I hope Lim guan eng can attract more investors to invest in penang, sack all the useless lecturers in USM, run a true research in USM, slash bribery, slash all red tape, even we dont have astonish building, penang also can succeed. Just lead penangite, just tell penangite what you wanna do, we will hear you and contribute to you as we afford. we hope you can build a second Singapore in South east asia.
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written by Bigjoe, October 05, 2009
written by Bigjoe, October 05, 2009
Mrs. Koh need a real man.. Someone please help her out...
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written by LNG, October 05, 2009
written by LNG, October 05, 2009
LNG please show your talent to run the state. Forget debate. From the day one in power still talking about debate. Wasting time. Dont talk rubbish. Do your own work.
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written by Bigjoe, October 05, 2009
written by Bigjoe, October 05, 2009
There is a more important issue here. Mrs. Koh has not been living with a man... Someone should help her ...
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written by maddy, October 05, 2009
written by maddy, October 05, 2009
I am surprised the champion of transparency (kapitan lim guan eng) is not ready to be transparent himself. like a tamil saying ubathesam oorukkuthan enakku illai, advises to other people but not for me...
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written by tony, October 05, 2009
written by tony, October 05, 2009
can someone,jsut shut this guy ,,koh,,up,,,,?????ak him what had he done for penang during his ruled,,as a chief minister,,,???
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written by Freshie, October 05, 2009
written by Freshie, October 05, 2009
I dont see why LGE is not willing to declassify the exco minutes... is there anything to hide?
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written by sathia, October 05, 2009
written by sathia, October 05, 2009
The transparency works two ways. When Koh Tsu Koon was the CM why did he classify all Exco minutes under OSA ?
Similarly, why was the Highway contracts between the Federal govt and a private concessionaire be classified under OSA. Koh Tsu Koon should answer this as he is part of the Federal govt.
Also, why was PKFZ transactions be classified under the OSA ? Can Koh Tsu Koon get Najib to declassify this so that the rakyat can know the terms which were lopsided and taxed the poor taxpayers.
The real reason why the BN govt wants to classify all their documents of public interest under OSA is to benefit their cronies which started under Mahathir's time.
Similarly, why was the Highway contracts between the Federal govt and a private concessionaire be classified under OSA. Koh Tsu Koon should answer this as he is part of the Federal govt.
Also, why was PKFZ transactions be classified under the OSA ? Can Koh Tsu Koon get Najib to declassify this so that the rakyat can know the terms which were lopsided and taxed the poor taxpayers.
The real reason why the BN govt wants to classify all their documents of public interest under OSA is to benefit their cronies which started under Mahathir's time.
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written by islandman, October 05, 2009
written by islandman, October 05, 2009
PR promised or not promised to the Kg Buah Palah folks is no issue here.
The courts has made the judgement. We have to follow as the state gov is not above the law (onlike ohter GOV can influnce).
The fact is that Ah Koon sold the land without informed the Kg Buah Palah folks. So who started all this job? It is doggie Ah Koon!
The courts has made the judgement. We have to follow as the state gov is not above the law (onlike ohter GOV can influnce).
The fact is that Ah Koon sold the land without informed the Kg Buah Palah folks. So who started all this job? It is doggie Ah Koon!
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written by Matteo, October 05, 2009
written by Matteo, October 05, 2009
Lets call it a tie!
LGE is transparent and Koh PI is naked!
Kampong Buah Pala's issue is settled!
People say enough already!
Now get back to work LGE and go run the state government!
And TSD Koh go help out Idris Jala!
LGE is transparent and Koh PI is naked!
Kampong Buah Pala's issue is settled!
People say enough already!
Now get back to work LGE and go run the state government!
And TSD Koh go help out Idris Jala!
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written by Ismail Omar, October 05, 2009
written by Ismail Omar, October 05, 2009
Finally, LGE have the real guts to take on 'Khor the pansy' without any conditions. Thats the way to do it !
The people of Penang are right behind you with this gallant effort! Let the 'lap dog' of umno die of shame!
The people of Penang are right behind you with this gallant effort! Let the 'lap dog' of umno die of shame!
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written by TH, October 05, 2009
written by TH, October 05, 2009
I read with a lot of interest the readers comments, which to me is rather emotional and only interested in bashing KTK.
I am not a supporter of KTK nor LGE, but being emotional get us no where. I am admirer of Tun Lim Chong Eu whom has brought numerous success but for emotional resons only known to Penangnites, he was forced to retire early as the voters then, for god-know-what-reson voted in the good-for-nothing (as far as Penang is concern) LKS. And for that, we are still paying the price!!!
This brought to a premature end to Tun Lim's rein and premature beginning of KTK rein. I doubt he was ready then. The other Chinese base political party is only interested in seeing him fail, and hence, he was not up to the task, until now.
I really hope one day the voters in Malaysia could really reach a level of maturity that we no longer see this kind emotional statements we see here. To be objective, I think KTK's request is not overboard.
We deserve to know the real happening behind it, dont we? So dont be emotional. Evaluate facts based on merit, i plead.
I am not a supporter of KTK nor LGE, but being emotional get us no where. I am admirer of Tun Lim Chong Eu whom has brought numerous success but for emotional resons only known to Penangnites, he was forced to retire early as the voters then, for god-know-what-reson voted in the good-for-nothing (as far as Penang is concern) LKS. And for that, we are still paying the price!!!
This brought to a premature end to Tun Lim's rein and premature beginning of KTK rein. I doubt he was ready then. The other Chinese base political party is only interested in seeing him fail, and hence, he was not up to the task, until now.
I really hope one day the voters in Malaysia could really reach a level of maturity that we no longer see this kind emotional statements we see here. To be objective, I think KTK's request is not overboard.
We deserve to know the real happening behind it, dont we? So dont be emotional. Evaluate facts based on merit, i plead.
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written by JC, October 05, 2009
written by JC, October 05, 2009
I voted PR during the last GE because I believe PR can have more transparency than BN. And now I believe the Pg CM has the best opportunity now to act the transparency principles. Overall, we only want the truth. If DAP continues to play political and blaming games, I'm sure PR will lose my vote in the next GE.
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written by SJ, October 05, 2009
written by SJ, October 05, 2009
You don't need condition to debate if you are at the right. Be a man and be responsible for your action. Admit that you're wrong when you're wrong. If you don't, you're showing a bad example to all the people in the world - not only Malaysians. We felt ashamed for having leaders who doesn't admit their own mistakes.
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written by Law2020, October 05, 2009
written by Law2020, October 05, 2009
Declassfying documents for debate?. Hey! this is running of state govt, not kid playing "masak'. The Federal Court already made a decision,ie. Kampung Buah Pala residents have no titles to the land. The only remedy is to negotiate for better compensation. The late Brown had never given free land to his workers.
The problem is that the opposition did not even dream of taking over Penang government and as a result simply promise the voters which they could not fulfil later. Lets learn from this mistake and do not Promise what you can not deliver.
The problem is that the opposition did not even dream of taking over Penang government and as a result simply promise the voters which they could not fulfil later. Lets learn from this mistake and do not Promise what you can not deliver.
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- +7
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written by Jasa, October 05, 2009
written by Jasa, October 05, 2009
When you had the power to do good you never, when you got kicked out from those voters then everyday you want to talk shit thing. Look at the way you bark. Your bark is worst then the bite. Defector is a defector. You are no more and already game over. Don't you believe your own fate. Crying here and there to proof yourself still capable. Don't dream at all. You don't have a second chance at all. Here we don't want anymore lap dog.
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written by vivek, October 05, 2009
written by vivek, October 05, 2009
Why UMNO prefered KTK against Goh Choon Teik was finally realised 22 years late. He never had the balls to make a stand on any issue. Remember the lunatic proposal of shifting the airport to Daim's territory . It was simply a message from London that got Sanusi jumping with joy while bypassing this 'non-existant' Penang preacher.
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written by amoker, October 06, 2009
written by amoker, October 06, 2009
Sorry, it is quite illogical. In US, the documents are declassified after the conditions are met. How is LGE going to fulfil this requirement? Of course, if other states adopt the same 'transparency' as KTK wants.. all their minutes should also be available the day after the meeting.
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