Lim’s office today said it was normal for a public figure like him to be photographed with many people, including those he did not know.
“This is not only ridiculous but a disgusting attempt to smear the Penang chief minister by relying on one photograph,” said a statement issued by the chief minister’s office today.
“BN’s attempt to pass off their scandals as Pakatan (Harapan) scandals will not work, when the people can see the BN federal government for the global kleptocracy that it is,” the statement added.
Lim’s office said the DAP leader had also taken photographs with another businessman linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), and asked if Lim was also connected to 1MDB.
“BN and its newspapers, including a few Chinese newspapers, have to do better than rely on one photograph to try to spin a tall tale that the Penang chief minister is a buddy with the Indian businessman,” it said.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had recently arrested a businessman with a “Datuk Seri” title, for allegedly receiving RM19 million to close investigations into the tunnel project.
The 37-year-old was released on a RM150,000 bail after spending 11 days in MACC’s custody.
The man, whose wife is a leader of a non-governmental organisation, had allegedly received the money from the main contractor of the project.
Baling MP ‘vindicated’ as Zenith retracts claim over tunnel project