‘I don’t know everyone I take photos with’
GEORGE TOWN: Star Media Group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said that he meets all levels of people in the course of his work, with many asking to be photographed with him.
“Most of them are unknown to me and I do not know this particular person who was implicated,” he said in response to a picture Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng showed to the press in which Wong is seen with the “Datuk Seri” being investigated in the Penang undersea tunnel graft probe, and another person.
Wong said the particular photograph was taken on Aug 8, last year, at the StarProperty.my Real Estate Awards Night 2017 that was held at Nexus Bangsar South in Kuala Lumpur.
“The event was organised by Star Property, a subsidiary of Star Media Group,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Wong said there were more than two people present as it was a public event, and not in anyone’s private residence.
“I was dressed in my black dinner jacket and for sure, I was wearing my shoes when that particular photo was taken,” he added.
Lim told reporters at Komtar yesterday that he was not insinuating anything but that “I too can show a photograph”.
A photo of Lim with the “Datuk Seri” had earlier gone viral on social media.
“This is not a buddy of mine but the Barisan Nasional’s, and I am forced to show this as I have pictures of the ‘Datuk Seri’ with other Barisan leaders,” said Lim.
The Penang Chief Minister’s Office said attempts to link Lim to the “Datuk Seri” was “a disgusting smear attempt”, as questions were asked if the photo was taken at the businessman’s home.
It said the press had highlighted a photograph of Lim and the businessman as proof that they were buddies.
The 37yearold “Datuk Seri” is alleged to have received RM19mil from main contractor Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) to help “settle” the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission probe into the RM6.34bil undersea tunnel project.
Barisan Nasional Strategic Communications deputy director Datuk Eric SeeTo pointed to what he said was a stark difference between both photos.
“The photo of Wong is clearly at a public event attended by many persons and of course, he was wearing shoes.
“Whereas the photo of Lim is clearly at a private residence of the Datuk Seri with the CM not wearing any shoes.
“Wong Chun Wai can name the place, event, time and date of the photo shown. Can Lim Guan Eng do the same?” SeeTo asked.