NST article 'pure concoction', says Kit Siang

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang has accused English language daily New Straits Times of concocting "lies and falsehoods" in its article criticising opposition ruled Penang's proposed anti-party hopping legislation.

He pointed to the mainstream media's report headed Anti-hopping law unfair and impractical, which hit out at Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's call to introduce a law against party-hopping.

Specifically he highlighted a passage that mentioned him by name:

"The critics pointed out that Lim's father, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang, had even praised Sabah members of parliament Datuk Seri Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing of Tuaran and Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin of Beaufort when the duo left Barisan Nasional to support the opposition coalition."

Lim slammed the daily for what he said were clear fabrications.

"This is pure concoction for up to now, I have not said anything about the actions of Wilfred Bumburing and Lajim Ukiin in leaving the BN to support the Pakatan Rakyat coalition," lambasted the veteran politician.
'Throwing journalistic ethics to the winds'

He claimed that with the approach of the 13th general election, the BN-linked mainstream media was "throwing journalistic ethics to the winds and resorting to more lies and falsehoods in their attacks on Pakatan Rakyat leaders".

Lim stressed that his position against party-hopping by elected representatives had been clear and consistent since 1978, when he moved a motion in the Dewan Rakyat to propose an anti-hopping law.

He still believes that such a law is still relevant and important to ensure the political integrity of elected MPs and to prevent political corruption.

He said he has no doubt that both Wilfred Bumburing and Lajim Ukiin would be prepared to resign their parliamentary seats for by-elections to secure the support of their constituents afresh following their political decision to leave the BN and support Pakatan.