Permatang Pauh : Najib Use Govt Machinery For Political Purpose

Source : Malaysiakini

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today accused Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of abusing government machinery in the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign.

MCPX

He said this was particularly evident when Najib used an airplane provided by the Defence Ministry to fly Olympic silver medalist Lee Chong Wei into Permatang Pauh to receive a RM300,000 cheque.

"I cannot understand why he (Najib) is using government machinery, for example sending Lee to the Butterworth air-force base.

"This is the most improper use of defence facilities for political purposes," Lim said, adding that it was "quite clear" that Lee was manipulated into agreeing to receive the cheque in Permatang Pauh.

The Bagan DAP parliamentarian also questioned why the prize-giving ceremony had to take place in Permatang Pauh when it would have been more convenient and cost efficient to have it in Kuala Lumpur.

"And I heard Lee is back in KL today. Why couldn't he (Najib) have presented it here today? Why did he have to give it there?" Lim asked.

Don't abuse government machinery

Lim stressed that government machinery should only be used for official, not political purposes.

"Why does he (Najib) use the air-force base when he goes campaigning? If he uses the international airport, then it is alright," he said, adding that an air-force base should not be used for political functions.

Lim said he used his own private car when he went to Permatang Pauh to campaign.

"He (Najib) represents the government, I also represent the (Penang) government but when I go to Permatang Pauh to campaign, I use my private car rather than my official car," said Lim.

"We have to draw the line between public purpose and private purpose. If we cannot make that decision, we are just encouraging money politics," he said.