PCM knocks Guan Eng for threat against media

A recording of yesterday’s abruptly ended press conference is circulating in cyberspace. 

(Free Malaysia Today) – Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) today accused Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng of hypocrisy for trying to gag the media while professing belief in press freedom.

PCM vice-president Huan Cheng Guan, commenting on Lim’s abrupt termination of a press conference yesterday, said the chief minister was acting as if he was untouchable when it came to media questions about his private life.

An audio recording of yesterday’s aborted press conference has been uploaded to YouTube and has started circulating on the Internet. Lim is heard saying “I will sue, I will sue” in response to a personal question before ending the press conference.

The surprising outburst has become a hot topic of conversation in media circles as well as in Komtar’s corridor of power.

At a press conference today, pressmen joked about it with Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman, asking him if he would sue them for asking questions.

“I’m not in the suing business,” Mansor said with a smile.

Huan said Lim, as a major public figure, should expect media curiosity about his life and his doings.

Referring to yesterday’s questions from reporters, he said all they needed was a “yes” or “no” from him.

“So simple,” Huan said “Why was he so upset?”

He said Lim had himself been guilty of “going to town” with private matters concerning Barisan Nasional leaders.

He also recalled Lim asking members of the media to wear black clothing with yellow ribbons on International Media Day to protest against police aggression against journalists during last month’s Bersih rally.

“But now his legal threats mark a black day for the press,” he said. “It’s unprecedented. Never before has a Penang CM threatened to sue the press for asking questions.

“Lim has changed from a self-proclaimed defender of human rights to a defender of his own interests.”