Jamal accuses Kepong MP of slander over AP claim

Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos has accused Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng of attempting to slander his reputation as a businessperson and politician.

Jamal was responding to Lim's statement this morning that the International Trades and Industry Ministry (Miti) will investigate its current list of approved permit (AP) holders to uncover alleged links to politicians from the previous BN administration.

Lim had told reporters that the probe follows his statement yesterday alleging that a company linked to Jamal was among the current list of 164 AP holders, 128 of which were approved during the previous BN administration.

"I take it that YB Kepong (Lim) is purposely trying to create a negative image against me, trying to slander and smear my reputation as a businessman and politician.

"If he is brave and has information about what he is saying, he must repeat every single word he said inside the Dewan, outside the Dewan," said Jamal.

"With his refusal to accept my challenge, I take it that he was just trying to slander me and be a lying lawmaker," he added.

Malaysiakini learnt that the Jamal-linked company Lim was referring to is Ismo Automobile Sdn Bhd.

A check found the company's name at No. 57 out of 164 companies on the International Trade and Industry Ministry's (Miti) latest updated list of AP holders.

A check with the Companies Commission of Malaysia's records also showed that Jamal was listed as one of the four company directors with one percent stake in its entire operations.

According to the SSM records, which were last updated in September last year, the Kepong-based company was set up in 1982. It is unclear whether the company's ownership had undergone any changes since then.

Jamal had in an immediate response to Lim yesterday dared the DAP lawmaker to repeat his statement outside the Dewan.

Asked for comments this morning, Lim said he was informed by Miti Deputy Minister Ong Kian Ming that an investigation will be launched on the matter and would wait for its outcome before commenting further. - Mkini