When a complaint is lodged against the Chief Minister over the purchase of the official car, the investigation should be focused on whether there is any situation of conflict of interest exist. The state government's effort in cost saving whatsoever can not be used to justify that there is no conflict of interest.
The point here is if there is no discount, the state government will not purchase the car. The hefty discount may be designed to allow Lim Guan Eng to obtain a luxury government vehicle as part of his perks. It may be a potential inducement for Lim Guan Eng to reconsider his decision to use Toyota Camry as the official cars.
Lowe Motors is a potential supplier of the official cars. The discount was given after the vendor failed to sell 15 units of Mercedes-Benz E250 to the state government. Therefore the discount will be viewed as something with hidden agenda by the public. As head of the state government, Lim Guan Eng play a role in deciding the type of car to be used as an official car. This will create a situation of conflict of interest.
CM Lim Guan Eng should explain how the discount given in the Mercedes purchase is not in anticipation of political influence for tenders and government contracts in the future.
When a potential conflict of interest is seem to be real, the Chief Minister should immediately return the car and clear whatever doubt that has arisen. CM Lim Guan Eng should realise that the principle behind the aphorism "Not only must Justice be done; it must also be seen to be done." is equally applicable in his case.
Lim Guan Eng should avoid conflicts of interest at all cost and he should be sensitive to even the appearance of a conflict. When Lim Guan Eng is confronted with a conflict of interest , he should make a full disclosure of the situation and take the appropriate action to clear the doubt. But too sad, this arrogant politician chose to fight back like a street fighter twist and turn at every available opportunities.
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