PENANG Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today showed the press photos of the wife of a businessman, who is under Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigation, with Barisan Nasional ministers, which were posted on social media in 2015 and 2016.

The ministers include Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim, Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid and Health Minister Dr S. Subramaniam.

Lim’s move comes after a second photo of him and the businessman, who is being investigated over alleged graft in the Penang tunnel and highways project, made the rounds on social media.

The chief minister questioned who had leaked the photos to the BN-controlled media.

He said he did not have the photos, and only the businessman had them on his smartphone.

“In this case, there may be more than two photographs that I have taken with the Indian businessman, and perhaps, even more photos taken with his wife and family members.

“So, what is ordinary and common to me will lead the BN media to ask next why I am taking photos with his wife and family members,” he said in a press conference at Komtar.

“Does the act of taking photos with him, his wife and family makes both of us close buddies? Then, will the BN media also print (news) on the photos that his wife has taken with BN leaders?

“Will the BN media seek an explanation from the BN ministers, about them taking photos with the Indian businessman’s wife?

“Looking at so many photos of his wife with BN leaders, it is clear that both of them are strong BN supporters. No wonder the Indian businessman was appointed as a director of a major public-listed company.

“That is why the BN media is advised to remember not to throw stones when you live in a glass house.”

Over the weekend, several newspapers and portals reported that another photo of Lim and the businessman has been making the rounds online.

Lim was photographed with the businessman in a car.

The first photo of them, which spread online earlier this month, showed them in a house, apparently barefooted.

The businessman is being investigated by MACC for allegedly receiving RM19 million from Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd – the special purpose vehicle that has been awarded the Penang project – which is also being probed by the anti-graft agency.

It is alleged that the payment was for “consultancy services” to stop the MACC probe.

Last week, Lim had shown a photo of the businessman with Star Media Group boss Wong Chun Wai, who has since said he does not know the man and that he takes photos with many people while on the job.

Lim has slammed the BN-controlled media for “spinning the story to imply and insinuate” that the businessman is his “buddy” based only on the photographs they have taken together.

After the first photo made the news, Lim’s office said lawyers have been instructed to study the matter.

“It is a blatant lie… never mind that the businessman has taken photographs with BN people. A classic case of double standards – it is okay when pictures are taken with BN folk, but not with me.

“This is not only ridiculous, but a disgusting attempt to smear me, and turn the businessman, who is a strong BN supporter, into my ‘buddy’.

“I have said that I have taken many photographs with many personalities, and cannot recall how many times (photos have been taken) or where each and every photograph was taken. I have taken photos in all sorts of places, including in a car.”

Accusing BN of using its control over the mass media and authorities to tarnish the reputation of the Penang government, chief minister and excos, Lim said MACC and the state infrastructure project’s critic, MCA deputy president Dr Wee Ka Siong, have yet to clearly point out the corruption in the project, which was awarded via open tender.

Lim told reporters that he will not take further questions on the matter until his latest statement has been published. – March 19, 2018.