THE Penang legislative assembly sitting started today with the house feeling like the Dewan Rakyat.

Lim Guan Eng (PH-Air Putih), who is also finance minister, was the first among the 40 assemblymen to speak.

He spoke of Pakatan Harapan’s victory and Penang’s achievements, and ventured into the RM1 trillion national debt and the removal of the hated goods and services tax (GST), which he blamed on 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

He blamed the sovereign wealth fund for the RM50 billion debt the federal government has to shoulder now, causing state opposition leader Muhammad Yusoff Mohd Noor (BN-Sungai Dua) to interject.

Lim said Yusoff was in denial

“(1MDB’s RM50 billion debt) is why we are short of funds to conduct many programmes and to fulfil our manifesto pledges. We did not expect the situation to be so bad,” said the former Penang chief minister.

“I don’t understand why you still won’t acknowledge reality.”

He reminded Yusoff of the RM200 million cash, RM114 million worth of jewellery and Hermes bags seized from the home and other properties linked to former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor.

Lim then defended the federal government’s decision to replace GST with the sales and services tax, even though SST would collect less revenue.

“The people will be less burdened by the SST. If given the choice, which tax would you choose if you care about the people?” he asked Yusoff.

When Lim started to talk about fighting corruption, Speaker Law Choo Kiang said he was feeling confused, as it felt he was moderating a Dewan Rakyat debate. He told Lim to wrap up his speech.

Lim then spoke about Penang’s success as an opposition state (before GE14) to address its debt and implement big projects in collaboration with the private sector.

He said the state could work with the private sector to expand the Penang International Airport while the federal government was short of funds and dealing with the huge debt.

“We can do it faster this way… I hope to talk to Malaysia Airports Bhd and AirAsia to find a solution, so we can expand the Penang airport in the soonest time possible.”

Law again told Lim to cut his speech short, adding: “please don’t make me feel like I have become the Dewan Rakyat speaker.”

Lim continued about how Penang managed its state debt and finances well, saying that it might be challenging to replicate the success at Putrajaya.

But if open tenders could be done for projects, the federal government might be able to cut spending, he said.

When he ventured into Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), which also attracted Gooi Hsiao Leung (PH-Bukit Tengah), the former Alor Setar MP, Law tried to cut them short.

“This is the state assembly. Please focus on issues related to Penang,” he said.

Opposition backbencher Nor Hafizah Othman (BN-Permatang Berangan) seconded the speaker, saying that parliament issues should not be discussed at the state assembly.

Lim took 56 minutes to finish his speech. – August 6, 2018.