Radio transcripts prove Lim did not bash Johor

GEORGE TOWN (Sept 25, 2011): A transcript and recording of the interview between Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pix) and ABC Radio Australia presenter Cameron Wilson, which aired last week, does not contain any discussions or reference to the state of Johor.


In the transcript of the interview which can be viewed at http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/201109/s3321815.htm, Lim does not mention anything about Johor, contrary to what was reported by Bernama recently.

The transcript showed that the topic of discussion during the interview between Lim and Wilson involved issues such as human rights, the Internal Security Act (ISA), politics and the up-coming general elections.

Lim complained that several quarters, including Barisan Nasional leaders, have hit out at him over the media in the past few days over the Bernama report.

The report stated that during the interview Lim had labelled Johor as an unsafe place, where the chances of being kidnapped were high. It alleged that Lim had done this in an effort to bring investments to Penang.

“Whatever (Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri) Muhyiddin Yassin and (Johor Mentri Besar Datuk) Abdul Ghani Othman said against me was unacceptable.”

“We need to seek the truth from the facts, and not make accusations just like that,” he said.

“If you want to criticise, it has to be based on facts, which I have said.”

Lim also said that two of his assistants were with him during the interview, and the interviewer could testify that he had not bad-mouth Johor.

Speaking to reporters after officiating the Silver Jubilee Home Food Fair here today. Lim said that he would give time for Bernama to retract the statement, and issue an apology before taking action against it.

“I will give them reasonable time before action is taken against them,” he said, adding that he will be on a business trip to Surabaya, Indonesia in the next few days.