Tham prepared to help police probe 'fraud'
“That’s his (Yong's) right... he definitely has a right to do so (lodging the police report). When the time comes when the authority requires my assistance, I will cooperate fully. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t have anything more to say,” Tham said.
Yong, who is Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president, lodged the police report against Tham in Sandakan over the latter's claim on Nov 15 that six timber tycoons from Sandakan had paid money to persons known to him in return for FMU (Forest Management Unit) licences but later got nothing.
Tham also said that he was shocked that these people were duped, adding that they were his friends and he was forced to clarify that he had nothing to do with the FMU licences.
“I feel that we should move ahead and do other things that are more important. There is a lot of work to be done.
"It is pointless to express concern about Sabah being the poorest state when even the late Dr Lim (Chong Eu) had said Sabah has great potential and he has given me some tips on what to do.
"I’m in the process of experimenting with some of these tips and they can be very helpful to Sabah,” Tham said.
'Father of foreign investment'
Tham said there were a lot of things Sabah could learn from Lim’s leadership in transforming and steering Penang when he was the chief minister.
He said that it was Lim who had popularised “foreign investments”, compelling many including former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to call him the “father of foreign investment” in Malaysia.
Tham explained that Lim had decided on this strategy way back in 1969 when Penang lost its free trade status. It was at this point that he successfully encouraged foreign investors to set up electronic factories there.
And through transfer of technology and empowerment of the local people, many Penangites eventually went on to head the multinational corporations in Penang besides developing the small and medium industries.
“Today, Penang has the highest number of millionaires in Malaysia who started out from scratch,” he said, adding that the same success story can be duplicated in Sabah which possesses better potential in terms of vast tracts of fertile land and abundance of natural resources.
“All we need to do is to channel more of our energy to do the necessary things rather than waste our time politicking.
"This is definitely something that we could learn from Lim’s leadership and his legacy. That’s something that will change the future of Sabah,” he said.
Tham also revealed that Lim had a special place in his heart for Sabah, so much so that he had thought of settling down in Keningau, Sabah.
According to Tham, Lim asked him to sell a portion of his family land in Keningau to set up his own ranch. They were still talking about it six months ago before Lim went into a coma.
Tham said that he regretted that he was unable to fulfil Lim’s dream on this.
Lim, a gentleman
Tham also recalled his relationship with Lim which dated back to 1985 when the latter paid a courtesy call on the newly-formed PBS state government.
“He (Lim) was then the chief minister of Penang and he was accompanied by Koh Tsu Koon who was his political secretary at that time. Both myself and Koh were in the Barisan Nasional Youth Committee,” he said.
He also described Lim as a visionary statesman and a “complete gentleman” who was accepted and respected by both friends and foes.
“I have not seen people criticise him in absolute term; those who attacked him when he was in power were merely attacking him politically.
“No amount of words can describe the loss of such a great statesman. I wish I had spent more time with him, tapping his vast experiences on many things. He was often thinking outside the box.
"I managed to spend sometime talking to many people who had worked and lived with him during the funeral. All have expressed their grief,” he said.
He also hoped that one day someone will write a biography of Lim so as to share his vast experiences, knowledge, wisdom and legacy with the rest of the world.
“I sincerely believe this will be very useful to the development of Malaysia. The biography should cover all aspects of life.
"It will be an inspiration to young Malaysians to participate in nation building. His contributions to the nation should also be taught in the history subject of our school.
“I also wish to take the liberty here to propose the setting up of a special museum for Lim to keep the people’s memory of such a great statesman like him alive,” he said.
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