CHIEF Minister Lim Guan Eng said he would call Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for help again if Penang ever suffered a major flood like the one in November.

He said he would ask for military assistance to help the people, even though the home minister was a political rival.

“During times of emergency, we have to find whatever way we can to help the people.

“If the same happens in future, I would do it again,” he told reporters today.

Lim’s remark was in response to criticism directed at him for contacting the Umno leader for help to deploy the military to assist in flood relief and rescue operations in November.

The November 4 and 5 storm, which brought record heavy rain and strong winds, caused floods and fallen trees all over Penang.

Lim had called Zahid in the early morning hours on November 5 to ask for help.

Lim said he regretted that until today, he was still being slammed by certain quarters for making the call to Zahid.

“I don’t understand why it is wrong to seek help from the federal government during a flood disaster to save victims. But is it not wrong to try to help BN cover up scandals like 1MDB?

“It does not make sense at all. Perhaps only those crazy to be with BN can say such things,” he said.

Asked who he was directing his comments to, Lim said: “I think you know (who I mean). From blue to green.”

The DAP secretary-general would not name the person who criticised him or the news publication that carried the latter’s remarks.

Yesterday, NST Online reported that Penang PAS Commissioner Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff had slammed Lim for calling the Islamist party “lost” (sesat) because it was praised by BN lynchpin party Umno.

Fauzi reportedly said that Lim contradicted himself when suggesting that PAS and Umno had a good relationship, and should reflect on himself for calling Zahid for help during the flood in November.

“As I recall, he was holding back tears pleading to Zahid for help that day. When Zahid came by, he even hugged him, as if showing off how good their relationship was.

“Look at yourself first before calling others ‘sesat’ (deviated),” he was quoted as saying.

DAP and PAS has been on hostile terms since the parties broke up in 2015, which led to the collapse of the former Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

DAP has been criticising PAS for becoming friendly towards Umno under its present central leadership, and not questioning the scandals and controversies affecting the BN administration.

Meanwhile, on the federal government’s plan to open Urban Transformation Centres (UTCs) in Penang, Lim said the state government was agreeable.

He said the federal government had expressed interest to rent the former Seberang Prai Municipal Council premises in Butterworth for the UTC.

“We have no problem with that. The premises are available. They can move in whenever they are ready.

“If it is for the benefit of the people, we can set aside politics,” he said.

“But we will never work with BN to cover up the 1MDB scandal.” – January 2, 2018.