Guan Eng denies smearing Johor on Aussie radio

September 24, 2011

Lim said he had two witnesses with him during the interview in question. — File pic

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 24 — Lim Guan Eng today denied bad-mouthing Johor during an interview with an Australian radio station, and disputed a report by state news agency Bernama attributing the comments to him.

“This is because I had witnesses, namely, two officers who were together with me when I was interviewed by the station,” the Penang chief minister was quoted saying by Bernama Online today.

The report yesterday moved Barisan Nasional leaders such as Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to take aim at the DAP secretary-general, accusing him of trying to sabotage rival states in order to promote Penang as a more attractive investment destination.

In the disputed report, Lim was alleged to have described Johor as crime-ridden and rife with kidnappings. The remarks were construed as an attempt by Lim to lure away Australian investment dollars meant for Johor and to divert them to Penang.

Lim has also been accused by Minister of International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed of fabricating the difference in crime rates between Johor and Penang.