‘LIM HAS 4 DAYS TO APOLOGISE’
He must retract false statements against me, Tabung Haji and Baling folk, says Azeez
PENANG Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has been given four days to retract and publicly apologise for his defamatory remarks. This is over allegations the DAP secretary-general made linking Baling member of parliament Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim to the controversial Penang undersea tunnel project.
In a press conference at the Parliament lobby here yesterday, Azeez said he would take legal action against Lim if he refused to do so.
Azeez’s lawyers had sent letters of demand to Lim yesterday afternoon — one to his office and another to his home.
“He has four days to retract and publicly apologise for his false statements against me, Tabung Haji (of which Azeez is chairman) and the people of Baling. Otherwise, I will take action,” he added.
On Monday, Lim had called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to arrest Azeez over claims that he had received “RM3 million for consultancy work in regulatory compliance and risk management” for the project.
In his letter of demand, Azeez also called Lim to provide a formal declaration to never repeat the allegations and to reveal the source of the information, if any.
“In all his statements, he kept referring to me as Umno Baling MP and questioned my abilities as Tabung Haji chairman.”
“This legal action is not just about me, but it is also about Tabung Haji and Umno.
“I have to defend my position,” he said, adding that the apology must be made in all mainstream media.
Azeez said he would have been content with just issuing the letter and not giving a press statement on the matter. He, however, said Lim had dropped his name and showed a picture of him during an interview with TV3.
“Yesterday night, TV3 aired Lim showing my face on TV as though I was a big criminal and asked why MACC did not take action against me.
“He had also asked why there were double standards because I am an Umno member of parliament.”
Azeez said Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) withdrew its letter of demand against him on March 3.
He reiterated that Zenith, through it lawyers, had apologised for its mistake made in their part and acknowledged that I was a victim of namedropping.
Azeez, in a press conference on Sunday, said their letter also stated that they were prepared to offer assistance in any way possible to clear his name.
Meanwhile, a defiant Lim refused to apologise to Azeez and said he would contest the suit in court.
In George Town, acting state Gerakan Youth chief Jason Loo said the move by two parties to stop an investigation on the underwater tunnel project brought about a negative connotation.
“There is definitely a ‘story’ which is being hidden from public knowledge. Otherwise, why did the construction company allegedly pay the two individuals to stop investigation?” he said here yesterday.