Guan Eng dismisses speculations over no-show at PH-BN gathering

GEORGE TOWN: Urging people not to speculate on his absence at the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional gathering of state leaders on polling day, DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng said he could not make it as he had to be at the vote counting centre for his seat.

Guan Eng, who defended his Air Putih seat, said he was not there as he had to be in the Caring Society Complex for his own vote-counting process.

“Do not speculate, I am a candidate and as a candidate, I have to be present at the vote counting centre.

“Once that was done, it was late and I could not make it in time,” he said when met at Seri Mutiara, the governor’s official residence in George Town on Sunday (Aug 13).

Guan Eng urging the press not to read too much into his absence said the media were the ones making up the speculations.

“You (media) are the ones making such speculations.

“I travelled up and down yesterday,” he said.

When asked about Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang being present at the gathering, Guan Eng said as Kit Siang was not a state candidate he could attend the gathering.

Guan Eng was absent from the gathering at St Giles Wembley Hotel on Saturday (Aug 12) where Chow Kon Yeow announced a two-thirds majority and formation of the unity state government after they secured 29 of the 40 state seats.

The remaining 11 seats were won by Perikatan Nasional.

Guan Eng’s absence raised questions as many other leaders and state candidates were present at the gathering.

Guan Eng attended the swearing-in ceremony of Chow Kon Yeow as the state Chief Minister for the second term on Sunday (Aug 13) morning.