GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has lashed out at the state development officer (SDO) whom he accused of having a political agenda to sabotage the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government.

Referring to a letter sent by the implementation coordination unit of the Prime Minister's Department at the state development office, Lim said the SDO had gone overboard with his actions.

The letter was addressed to state drainage and irrigation department director Hanapi Mohamad Noor with regard to the implementation of the RM7 million upgrading works at the Penang Botanical Gardens.

A veiled threat was issued via the letter dated Oct 13 for the department to settle all issues relating to the project before Oct 31, failing which the project would be cancelled and the allocation given by the ministry of tourism for the project would be withdrawn.

Lim alleged that the SDO had also humiliated him during the launch of the RM63 million Penang Hill funicular railway project a few weeks ago which was also attended by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Lim, who also attended the event, was not given a seat until the two ministers intervened and included him at the function.

"I do not mind being humiliated and him being disrespectful to me as the chief minister but I will not let any officer sabotage the interest of Penangites due to their own personal political affiliations and desires to sabotage this state government.

"I have never uttered anything until now, but there are federal government officers who are trying to sabotage the PR government. The SDO's actions are worse than even federal ministers who are actually very cordial and we are fortunate to have such ministers.

"Even the state secretary (Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman) is having problems due to his hostility," Lim said at a press conference here today after a briefing at the Penang Botanical Gardens.