MALAYSIA: The former Democratic Action Party (DAP) strongman Lim Guan Eng, who was also Minister of Finance in 2018, has lashed out at former United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin for saying the firebrand current UMNO Youth leader Dr Akmal Saleh’s style of politics is necessary in UMNO today.

“Khairy’s assertion that UMNO Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh’s style of politics is still necessary in UMNO is disappointing.

“Khairy appears to say that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi tolerates Akmal’s culture war politics and controversial style because of the “clear and present danger on the (political) right, which, Perikatan Nasional dominates”, Lim wrote on Facebook.

He was responding to Khairy’s statement on Akmal that he made in an interview.

Akmal rose to prominence in UMNO after the 2022 general elections but escalated his ‘right-wing’ style boycotts and campaigns in mid-March 2024, when he spearheaded a nationwide boycott of the KK Super Mart convenience store chain over the “Allah” socks controversy.

In July 2024, political tensions intensified when the DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) condemned Akmal for his aggressive rhetoric and for acting like an opposition figure within the multicultural Madani coalition government.

However, things turned very ugly in August 2025. His campaigns pivoted to a prominent flag protest outside a hardware store in Kepala Batas, Penang, after an elderly Chinese man accidentally displayed the Malaysian flag upside down.

Critics, including former ministers, described this as a manufactured outrage, causing a wave of anti-Chinese sentiment. He was later charged in the Bukit Mertajam Magistrate’s Court for threatening public order.

Again in 2024, on April 5, Akmal Saleh was arrested at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) in Sabah immediately upon his arrival.

The Police detained him under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The arrest was triggered by police reports regarding his aggressive rhetoric during the KK Super Mart “Allah” socks boycott controversy.

Hence, Lim said two wrongs do not make a right. If PN is wrong to indulge in extremist actions and a controversial style to reinforce Malay nationalist support, then it is equally wrong for UMNO Youth leaders to follow suit.

“This is a very different Khairy from the one sacked by Zahid Hamidi before rejoining UMNO. Back then, Khairy espoused a non-racial line and progressive policies that he portrayed as fair and beneficial to all Malaysians.

“Clearly, Khairy’s attempt to whitewash Akmal’s unacceptable and irresponsible acts demonstrates that both UMNO and Khairy are fake progressives,” Lim lamented.

He said UMNO is now showing its ‘naked’ ambition for power at all costs, even by stabbing its coalition partners in the back.

He also noted that the events in Negeri Sembilan, a small state near Kuala Lumpur, were an act of stabbing Pakatan Harapan.

“UMNO has shown its naked ambition for power at all costs by stabbing its coalition partners in the back in the failed coup d’etat to seize power in the Negeri Sembilan state government, as well as the unilateral declaration of war in Johor by announcing UMNO and BN’s intention to contest all 56 state seats in the coming Johor state general elections.”

For Lim, it is clear that those who placed some expectations and even hopes on Khairy can now see that both Khairy and UMNO have proven that “a leopard cannot change its spots.”

This article (Race-based politics take centre stage in war of words between DAP and UMNO) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng today accused Khairy Jamaluddin and Umno of being “fake progressives” after the former minister defended Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s style of politics.

In a statement, Lim said Khairy’s assertion that Akmal’s political approach remained necessary in Umno was disappointing, especially after previously positioning himself as a progressive and non-racial politician.

Lim said Khairy appeared to suggest that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi tolerated Akmal’s controversial “culture war politics” because of what he described as a “clear and present danger” from the political right dominated by Perikatan Nasional.

“Two wrongs do not make a right,” Lim said.

“If PN is wrong to indulge in extremist actions and controversial style to reinforce Malay nationalist support, then it is equally wrong for Umno Youth leaders to follow suit.”

Lim also claimed Khairy had changed from the politician who was sacked by Ahmad Zahid before later rejoining Umno.

“Back then, Khairy espoused a non-racial line and progressive policies that he portrayed as fair and beneficial to all Malaysians,” he said.

“Clearly Khairy’s attempt to whitewash Akmal’s unacceptable and irresponsible acts demonstrates that both Umno and Khairy are fake progressives.”

The Bagan MP further accused Umno of prioritising political power over coalition ties, citing what he described as a failed attempt to seize control of the Negeri Sembilan government and Barisan Nasional’s intention to contest all 56 state seats in the next Johor state election.

“For those who placed some expectations and even hopes on Khairy can now see that both Khairy and Umno have proven that a leopard cannot change its spots,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — The High Court has ordered blogger Wan Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, to pay RM280,000 in damages after ruling that he defamed former DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng and his son in a social media post.

In a report by Free Malaysia Today, Justice Roslan Mat Nor found that Wan Azri had made defamatory claims in a Facebook post dated March 14, 2020.

In the post, it was alleged that Clint Lim had been detained while attempting to smuggle RM2 million into Singapore and further claimed that Guan Eng had travelled to the republic on February 29, 2020 to “rescue” his son.

The court ordered Wan Azri to pay RM200,000 to Guan Eng and RM80,000 to his son.

He was also ordered to pay RM30,000 in costs to Guan Eng and RM10,000 to his son.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 —DAP advisor Lim Guan Eng has questioned the depth of leadership within PAS following the appointment of Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as the new opposition leader.

In a statement released today, the Bagan MP asked if the Islamist party is facing a talent vacuum, forcing Ahmad Samsuri to juggle two high-pressure roles simultaneously.

“Does PAS have no capable leader that it has to appoint Ahmad to bear two responsibilities by wearing ‘two hats’?” Lim asked, noting that both positions demand full focus and dedication.

Lim expressed scepticism over Ahmad Samsuri’s ability to manage his duties effectively, citing the significant geographical distance between the administrative hub of Kuala Lumpur and the Terengganu state capital, Kuala Terengganu.

Lim also highlighted Ahmad Samsuri’s current parliamentary attendance record as the MP for Kemaman to support his concerns.

Quoting data from the MyParliament portal, Lim pointed out that the MB has attended only 158 out of 248 sitting days, an attendance rate of 63.7 per cent.

“The portal’s assessment of his attendance is ‘needs improvement.’ How can Ahmad carry out his duties as opposition leader with an attendance of only 63.7 per cent?” Lim questioned.

He argued that if Ahmad Samsuri commits to being present for every parliamentary sitting to fulfil his new role, his responsibilities as menteri besar would inevitably suffer due to his absence from Terengganu.

“It is unrealistic and impractical to wear both hats. In the end, it is the people of Terengganu and the voters who support Perikatan Nasional (PN) who will suffer, as they will not benefit from his full attention,” Lim added.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should immediately write to US President Donald Trump to formally oppose fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho’s alleged pardon application linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, Lim Guan Eng said today.

In a statement this morning, Lim said Anwar’s intervention would demonstrate his continued commitment to ensuring that all perpetrators involved in the 1MDB scandal are punished and that stolen funds are fully recovered.

“Anwar’s personal intervention would send a strong message and demonstrate his continued commitment to ensuring that all perpetrators of the 1MDB scandal pay for their crimes and make full restitution of stolen funds, one of the largest financial scandals in the world,” the Bagan MP said.

Lim said Anwar and Pakatan Harapan leaders had consistently demanded stern action and accountability since the scandal first emerged, adding that the prime minister should remain committed to that pledge.

“There cannot be any lack of purpose or dedication to ensure that those responsible for the 1MDB scandal do not escape with their stolen loot or deserved punishment through pardons,” he said.

Low, better known as Jho Low, was charged in 2018 but remains at large.

Lim said the fugitive businessman had been accused of masterminding a scheme that siphoned at least US$4.5 billion from 1MDB together with two former bankers from Goldman Sachs Group.

He also said US authorities had alleged that about US$2 billion in bribes were paid to foreign officials, including former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was later convicted and jailed.

According to Lim, officials from the US Department of Justice had also alleged that US$1 billion in kickbacks was distributed among participants in the scheme, with Jho Low allegedly pocketing at least US$1.42 billion.

Lim said it would be unacceptable for Jho Low to receive a pardon while continuing to evade arrest by both Malaysian and US authorities.

He urged Anwar to inform Trump of the implications such a move could have on the rule of law in Malaysia and global anti-corruption efforts.

On Wednesday, foreign media reported that Jho Low, who has been accused by the United States of masterminding one of the largest financial frauds in history, had allegedly filed a pardon application to US President Donald Trump several weeks ago.

According to the report, approval of the application would result in the US criminal charges against Jho Low being dropped.

The report also stated that the US Department of Justice website listed an application filed under the name Taek Jho Low this year as “pending” for a “Pardon after Completion of Sentence”.

GEORGE TOWN, May 14 — The decision on whether Penang will hold its state poll concurrently with the next general election hinges on two key factors: the state constitution and the final say of the ruling party’s leadership, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.

In response to a question from Lim Guan Eng (PH - Air Putih) at the state legislative assembly, Chow explained that he could not make a unilateral decision.

“We need to look at this from two angles: one will be based on the constitution, and another will be based on the political party’s stand,” Chow said.

“For the first angle, I will seek the advice of the state legal advisor. For the second, I will need to get advice from the party’s national leadership.”

Lim acknowledged the need for constitutional backing but pointed out that the ultimate authority still rests with the chief minister.

He also reminded the assembly of the party's official position, as stated by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

“The secretary-general has already announced that state and general elections should be held concurrently, based on the order by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” Lim said.

The exchange took a light-hearted turn when Opposition assemblyman Bukhori Ghazali (PAS - Pinang Tunggal) interjected by saying in Hokkien, “kong kang kor, bo kong pun kang kor (It’s a problem if you say it and a problem if you don’t)”, which drew laughter from other lawmakers.

Chow corrected the phrase and translated it to Malay for the assembly.

“The phrase to use is ‘cho kang kor, bo cho pun kang kor,’ which translates to ‘buat susah, tak buat lagi susah’ (damned if you, damned if you don’t),” Chow explained, neatly summarising his predicament.

He concluded by reaffirming his position, stating, “I must accept any decision made by the party leadership on this.”

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — Earlier Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation records into the Penang undersea tunnel project had indicated there was insufficient evidence against former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng before further investigations were carried out in 2020, according to The Star.

According to the report, MACC investigating officer Zulhilmi Ramli told the Sessions Court today that he had initially joined a task force in early 2020 to review earlier statements and documents linked to the project following a complaint lodged in 2018.

During cross-examination by defence counsel Haijan Omar, Zulhilmi agreed that, based on the materials reviewed at the time, existing statements and documents in the investigation papers were insufficient and required further clarification.

He also agreed with a suggestion by the defence that, as of June 2020, there was insufficient evidence against Lim.

Zulhilmi reportedly said that he only took over as investigating officer in June 2020, after several earlier officers had handled different investigation papers relating to the project.

The witness also agreed that internal minutes or memos in the investigation papers contained references indicating there was “no case” against Lim at the time and that investigations had earlier been halted pending further developments.

However, Zulhilmi disagreed with the defence’s suggestion that the investigation was solely focused on Lim, maintaining that the probe involved multiple individuals linked to the Penang undersea tunnel and three main roads project, The Star reported. 

He told the court he had reviewed earlier investigation papers containing statements from several witnesses and that further clarification was later sought from some of them as part of continuing investigations.

Lim, 65, faces charges of using his position to obtain RM3.3 million in gratification linked to the project, as well as a second charge involving an alleged 10 per cent profit from the project.

He also faces two charges related to the disposal of Penang government land valued at RM208.8 million to companies linked to the project.

The trial before Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi continues on June 4 and 5.