Media statement by Lim Guan Eng in Komtar, George Town on Monday, 4^th April 2011: 

The public would never believe that Bernama dares to misreport the Prime Minister, unless the offending Bernama reporter is sacked for unprofessional conduct and incompetence 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu has caused confusion with his statement that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had never expressed confidence that BN would recapture Penang. Koh claimed that the Bernama reporter must have been over-excited or over-enthusiastic in misreporting Najib, who had merely said that the warm welcome Najib received can be translated to BN winning a few more seats.

I find it hard to believe that the national news agency Bernama would dare to misreport the Prime Minister, no matter how excited or enthusiastic the reporter is. As the national news agency, Bernama would have access to the Prime Minister that is not normally available to other media.

The public would never believe that Bernama dares to misreport the Prime Minister, unless the offending Bernama reporter is sacked for such unprofessional conduct and incompetence. Any failure to act against Bernama shows that BN is carrying out a “smoke and mirrors” campaign to recapture Penang by confusing PR and conceal BN’s real strategy of winning back Penang by stealth and subterfuge.

For this reason PR Penang state government will not be deterred, distracted, detracted and deflected from our focus on improving good governance and service to the public. All PR Penang elected representatives are directed to intensify their efforts in carrying out their duties of a people-centric government with humility by listening to the people, doing the people’s work and giving hope to the people.

Penang PR state government regrets BN Penang for misleading the Prime Minister with false information that Penang is worse off under PR. Since the 2008 March 8 general elections that swept PR to power, Penang has changed for the better. Amongst the 12 clear successes backed up by indisputable facts and figures that placed Penang as No.1 in Malaysia are:

1. Top in investments in Malaysia attracting RM12.2 billion investments or 26% of the overall investments in Malaysia. Penang's FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) contribution is even higher at 36% of Malaysia's FDI despite having only 6% of the nation's population.

2. Praised by the National Auditor-General for being the state with the best financial management in 2008 to 2009.

3. Top in Malaysia in reducing the crime index for 2010 by 27%.

4. Pioneer and leading state in green initiatives moving towards becoming the first green state in Malaysia.

5. Only state in Malaysia to be praised by Transparency International for fighting corruption through the state government's open tenders and CAT governance based on Competency, Accountability and Transparency.

6. Top in medical tourism with 60% revenue in Malaysia.

7. The first state to wipe out hard-core poverty by ensuring that every family's income is at least RM 500 a month and giving out RM 100 annually to senior citizens above 60 years old.

8. The highest increase of air travelers (30%) amongst all Malaysian airports in 2010.

9. Lowest unemployment rate and is actively sourcing for skilled workers.

10. Upholds basic human rights through enacting the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and setting up Speaker's Square at the Esplanade, the first in Malaysia which gives not just freedom of speech but also freedom after speech.

11. Foremost in protecting, preserving and promoting heritage conservation in Malaysia through the UNESCO World Heritage City of George Town.

12. Ranked as the most livable city in Malaysia.

*Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister & PR Penang Chair