Public debate on land scams?

GEORGETOWN (Aug 3, 2008): Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today he would not mind having a public debate with his predecessor Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon on the two land scams totalling RM124 million, as a last resort.

"If a public debate is the only way Koh can come clean and be accountable to the people, then I have no choice but to conduct it; to know the true nature of the two scandals and what exactly happened," he said.

"(But) I'm neither challenging or inviting him for a debate," said Lim when asked on the notion of having a public debate to discuss the land scams, after a DAP brain-storming session attended by over 30 DAP state assemblymen and Members of Parliament today.

Lim said Koh had refused to come clean even though he has written letters and sent SMSes to him since taking over as Chief Minister in March.

On July 28, former deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya admitted responsibility for one of the two land deal scams mentioned in state assembly on Monday; which is the approval a 10.6 acre plot to an individual, apparently a quarry operator.

The individual took the case to court when the then state government cancelled the land transfer, and the court ordered the state to pay RM29 million. With interest accruing at 8% per annum since 2004, the compensation might reach RM 40 million.

The other case which allegedly involve "embezzlement" in land acquisitions, is said to cost the state RM84 million in loses.

Lim said he was puzzled as to how Koh and his administration then had allowed such scandals to happen.

-TMB