‘Anwar approved attacks against Guan Eng’

Independent Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng claims the opposition leader had condemned the Penang chief minister in 2009.

GEORGE TOWN: Independent Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng claims that PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim had once condemned Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, calling him “kurang ajar” (rude or insolent).

Tan alleged that Anwar told him this in a private discussion during a break from a parliamentary session in 2009.

He also alleged that Anwar gave him the green light, when he was in PKR, to reproach Lim for his wrongdoings and mismanagement in Penang.

Tan had apparently called for a private meeting with Anwar in the Parliament house to find out whether the latter was upset with his (Tan’s) constant criticisms of the Pakatan Rakyat state government.

When he sought the clarification from Anwar during the November parliamentary sitting, Tan said his former political boss told him that he was not upset, but welcomed it.

He said he decided to seek the clarification after he was told by some PKR colleagues that the opposition leader was unhappy with his stinging criticisms against the Lim’s administration.

Tan claimed Anwar told him that “this young boy [Lim] is kurang ajar. He needs to be taught some lessons”.

Tan said he started publicly criticising Lim only after receiving Anwar’s approval.

“Anwar had given his blessings to me to attack Lim. So I was naturally confused when some PKR leaders told me that Anwar was upset,” he told FMT.

However, Tan said he became frustrated and upset when Anwar failed to shield him against Lim’s attacks on him.

“Anwar just dumped me. He just washed his hands off me,” said Tan.

Good deeds forgotten

He said that PKR leaders conveniently overlooked his immense contributions, especially financially, to the party.

He is particularly sore with Deputy Chief Minister (I) and state PKR chief Mansor Othman for failing to defend him.

He said he had given RM30,000 cash and lent his Pajero to support Mansor’s campaign during the Penanti by-election in 2009.

Tan said he had also fought hard for Mansor to be appointed as president of the mainland municipal council (MPSP).

“But Mansor conveniently forgot all my good deeds and failed to defend me when Lim attacked me with lies,” said Tan.

Tan finally left PKR in March 2010 to become an independent MP.

Tan’s revelation follows an earlier disclosure of an apparent uneasiness between state PKR leadership and Lim. Last month, leaked details of an internal meeting involving Mansor and several PKR leaders revealed the former calling Lim “cocky and arrogant”.