Gerakan has taken the DAP-led state government to task, saying the latter is not practicing what it preaches.

Penang Gerakan Secretary Ong Thean Lye said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng talked of his CAT (Competency, Accountability and Transparency) slogan, but there was no follow-up to see to it the slogan was put in action.

Ong said a good example was a statement yesterday by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) that it would send a team to Penang to study ways to improve transparency and accountability as well as on the procedures and ethics in accepting contributions and donations.

The MACC statement quoting investigations department director Deputy Commissioner Datuk Shukri Abdul said the commission would propose that the findings of this study be implemented by all states and ministries.

The commission’s statement came about when it found insufficient evidence to prosecute former Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin over allegations of involvement in illegal quarry dealings.

Bernama reported that commission investigators found that the duties and responsibility under Fairus’s portfolio did not have any connection with the quarry business in Penang.

“The commission found that he had asked and received funding from a quarry operator to attend an international course in London. Fairus attended the course in mid-2008 together with Penang Deputy Chief Minister 11 (P. Ramasamy) who was fully sponsored by the organiser and the state government.”

Ong said Lim should see to it that his government really practised CAT.

In a related matter, Ong urged Fairus to seriously consider withdrawing his resignation as Penanti assemblyman. “If Fairus has his constituents at heart, he should continue serving them.”