Gerakan has expressed shock that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng duly obliged when told by PKR leaders that he should stop discussing the matter of his former deputy in public.

“By remaining silent on the matter, Lim has disappointed the people of Penang who expect him to make known his stand on issues, especially those involving the state administration,” said Ong.

Ong said Lim had apparently heeded the call by PKR leaders because at a press conference yesterday when asked by reporters, Lim offered “no comment.”

Ong said Lim should not be timid to voice his views, especially on his preferred choice to replace Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin who quit as Deputy Chief Minister 1 from April 8, and subsequently as Penanti assemblyman.

On Monday, Lim had said he was aware critics had labeled him as dang jia bu, tang quan (a person who has position but without power).

Ong said Lim had been telling the people he had the people’s “interest at heart” but his latest action showed otherwise.

“If the Chief Minister has the power, he should be firm and not bow to PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” said Ong, adding that Lim should also state whether he supported the idea of having a by-election for Penanti.