Lim shows proof after Wee disputes offer price for HK asset

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng today produced a letter showing an RM1.68 billion offer to purchase the Malaysia Building in Hong Kong.

This was after MCA president Wee Ka Siong claimed that the actual offer was HK$1.6 billion (RM935 million) and expressed confidence Lim would not dare produce proof it was RM1.6 billion.

"I regret his claim that I cannot differentiate ringgit and Hong Kong dollar, it was a malicious slander. He even asked me to resign.

"Now, I am asking him to resign for making a baseless accusation. He is perpetuating the culture of slander by the opposition.

"PAS and Umno have said it is permissible to lie and now it appears MCA is being infected," Lim told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

The Malaysia Building in Hong Kong first came to public attention when former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak accused Putrajaya of selling national assets.

However, Lim later revealed the sale was approved by the previous government Najib for RM1.1 billion through direct negotiation, but the new government had intervened to hold an open tender, receiving an offer as high as RM1.68 billion. 

According to the letter produced by Lim, the RM1.68 billion offer was made on Jan 20.

The name of the company which made the offer was redacted, but the letter described it as being involved in "structured financial investments and high-value real estate investment areas".

The company promised to pay 20 percent of the offer price upon signing of the sales and purchase agreement, and the remaining 80 percent after all terms in the agreement were met in not more than 90 days.

Lim said the government was now conducting an international open tender as it believed Putrajaya can fetch an even higher value. - Mkini