Media statement by Liew Chin Tong in George Town, Penang on Friday, 13^th January 2012:

Asset declaration: Mydin boss should apologise

Yesterday, each of the eleven members of the Penang State Executive Council made a public declaration of his or her assets as of two dates, 8 March 2008 and 31 December 2011. The asset declaration exercise was conducted and verified by the renowned international accounting firm, KPMG.

It was the first time in 55 years since our nation attained its independance in 1957 that members of the Government have undergone such a public exercise.

Yet, Dato' Ameer Mydin, the Managing Director of Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd, published a remark on Twitter saying that the Penang State Executive Councillors had only declared their assets three years after 2008 so that they had time to transfer their assets into the name of their family members:

ameermydin Ameer Mydin

"All done la transfers take time thats way after 3 yrs declaring"

ameermydin Ameer Mydin

After 3 years so can trust ke RT @staronline: Penang CM, exco members make assets public

This remark suggests that the Penang State Exco asset declarations as of 8 March 2008 or as of 31 December 2011 were false, or that State Exco members have dishonestly acquired assets between these dates that they have surreptitiously transferred to their family members.

If Dato' Ameer Mydin has any evidence of any false declarations or dishonesty on the part of any Penang State Exco member, he should hand that evidence to the MACC or the police. Otherwise, as a responsible corporate figure, he must withdraw his remarks immediately.

* Liew Chin Tong, DAP International Secretary & MP for Bukit Bendera