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Letter by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to Home Minister Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Hussein on Wednesday, 11th May 2011: Letter to Home Minister Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Hussein TYB Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein Onn, 11 Mei 2011 Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri, Stern action against the false and malicious reporting by the Utusan Malaysia on the purported conspiracy between the DAP and Christian pastors in Penang to establish a Christian State and to appoint a Christian Prime Minister The Penang State Government would like to officially request that YB Minister initiate stern action against the false and malicious reporting by the Utusan Malaysia on its front page story on 7th May 2011, which reported a purported conspiracy between the DAP and Christian pastors in Penang to establish a Christian State and to appoint a Christian Prime Minister. This decision for this request was made collectively by members of the Executive Council of the Penang State Government (EXCO) in our meeting this morning, following the confessions of two UMNO Penang State Assemblymen, namely Hilmi Yahya (BN-Teluk Bahang) and Muhammad Farid Saad (BN-Pulau Betong) in the Penang State Assembly on 10th May 2011, that they too did not believe the purported Christian conspiracy being fanned by the Utusan Malaysia. Seeing as there are two UMNO Penang State Assemblymen who do not believe the UMNO-owned newspaper's Christian conspiracy, it is clear that the Utusan Malaysia's reporting is nothing but lies and bordering on sedition. As proof of how dangerous and provocative the report is, there have been numerous police reports lodged by UMNO leaders against this purported Christian conspiracy. For example, the demonstrations inspired by Penang UMNO Youth on 8th May 2011 had attacked the YAB Chief Minister on the purported Christian conspiracy, in addition to the opening of a toll-free alternative road. The State Government would like to put on record that we have no problem with a demonstration against the new toll-free alternative road in Jalan Bagan 29 - Jalan Siram on 8th May 2011. The Penang UMNO Youth is welcome to support a tolled road. However, it is the State Government's stand that a toll-free road should be provided as an alternative. Contrasting views on such an issue is healthy in a democracy. However, it is wrong and dangerous for Penang UMNO Youth to hold a demonstration to criticise with strong language against the YAB Chief Minister for his involvement in the purported Christian conspiracy, as there is no basis and substantive evidence to support such lies. Demonstrating on the basis of lies is not democratic but in fact a dangerous act that could potentially destabilise the country. Christian pastors and the Christian Federation of Malaysia, a body that represents 90% of Christians in Malaysia, have refuted the purported conspiracy report. However, instead of retracting and apologising, the Utusan Malaysia have continued to fan the issue. Now, this false report has spread far and wide, causing anxiety and apprehension amongst peace-loving Malaysians. The Penang State Government believes in freedom of information and freedom of press as basic tenets of human rights and democracy. However, this freedom does not allow you to print outright lies. This false reporting was conducted with malicious intentions, and could potentially inflame Malaysians through such bigoted and extremist sentiments. Since there are now two UMNO Penang State Assemblymen who have professed their disbelief of the report by their party-owned newspaper, YB Minister must take stern and immediate action against the Utusan Malaysia. Besides ordering them to retract and to issue an apology for their false and malicious reporting, stern action must also be taken against the newspaper and the individuals responsible. Thank you. Sincerely, LIM GUAN ENG *Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister
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