Penang MCA advisor Koay Kar Huah today sharply rapped the DAP-led Penang government for a string of actions barring some journalists from covering state government functions.

NONE The most recent, Koay in a statement said today, was Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) councillor Ong Ah Teong's ( right ) decision to bar Utusan Malaysia and New Straits Times (NST) journalists from covering his press conference in conjunction with check on a restaurant in Batu Ferringhi.

"Ong's instruction is an indictment of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and other Pakatan elected representative that they have arrogantly chosen to ignore the media fraternity's messages urging more press freedom and fair treatment to all media organisations..."

"What sort of information can be so sensitive to prevent Utusan Malaysia and NST from reporting while all other members of the media corp are given access for publishing or broadcasting through their respective agencies?" he said.

This, Koay said, is a case of double standards and a refusal to accept constructive criticism of the DAP-led state government's shortcomings.

To date, Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia is still barred from covering Penang state legislative assembly sittings.