Penang BN chief vows to continue speaking out on Jerejak issue

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Barisan Nasional ( BN) chairman Teng Chang Yeow has vowed to keep speaking out on the issue of Pulau Jerejak despite facing the possibility of being sued by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Teng arrived at a press conference with a piece of adhesive tape over his mouth in a symbolic gesture to highlight the notice of action for defamation dated Nov 25 he had received from Lim over a Nov 16 news report on the Pulau Jerejak issue.

Later, in a statement distributed to the media, Teng said he viewed Lim’s legal demand as an intimidation to stop him from coming out with more truths on Pulau Jerejak but he was not going to be silenced by Lim’s legal demand.

He said Lim’s legal demand was also intended to send a message to others, especially NGOs, to refrain from raising public interest issues or face legal action.

“Today it is me, tomorrow it is you (media practitioners) and the next day all the common people in the street. I urge the NGOs to continue to speak out on issues of public importance and not to be intimidated by Lim’s action against me,” he said.

Yesterday, during the Penang Development Corporation ( PDC) Christmas and New Year open house, Lim, who is PDC chairman, claimed the article on Nov 16 contained statements which were

Today it is me, tomorrow it is you (media practitioners) and the next day all the common people in the street. I urge the NGOs to continue to speak out on issues of public importance and not to be intimidated by Lim’s action against me. Teng Chang Yeow, Penang Barisan Nasional chairman

false and defamatory and had cast severe aspersions against his character and reputation.

However, Teng, who is also the Penang Gerakan chairman, said his solicitor had responded to Lim’s legal demand and he was prepared to face him in court.

“I will answer to all his ( Lim’s) complaints in court,” he said.

Pulau Jerejak came under the spotlight after PDC sold its 49 per cent stake in Tropical Island Resort Sdn Bhd, a 1997 joint venture between PDC and UDA Holdings Berhad, to a subsidiary of Ideal Properties for RM156 million this year.

Teng had questioned why the stake was sold as he claimed there was a RM220 million profit guarantee deal on the table in Dec 2013 but PDC has denied there was such an offer. — Bernama