Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has rebuked MCA-owned English daily The Star for its front-page report on his Penang Run 2013 statement, describing it as "mischievous, irresponsible and incorrect".

Lim denied that he laid claim - as the report suggested - to the word ‘Penang' in all situations, saying he was merely speaking about instances where the word was used on its own, giving the impression that the state was involved in the events.

dapsy agm 091212 lim guan eng "We hope The Star does not go to ridiculous levels to say we have banned the word ‘Penang' in everything. We hope it behaves responsibly by not diverting or creating something out of nothing," he said.

"Have we ever stopped the Penang Star Walk before?" Lim asked at a press conference today, after announcing the Penang International Triathlon and Duathlon to be held in Teluk Bahang on March 31.

The Penang Municipal Council, state government and g-Club Penang Cyclists are joint organisers of the event.

"It is okay, for example, if it is a Penang Public Bank Run because we know it is associated with the bank," Lim explained.

"Likewise, it is okay for Penang Chinese or Malay Chamber of Commerce but when using the word ‘Penang' alone (as in ‘Penang Run'), it gives the impression that the event is associated with the state government, so the organisers must ask our approval," he added.

"Even if it is a Penang Umno, MCA or Gerakan Run, there is no problem to it as we know who are the organisers," he stressed.

Event clashes with Thaipusam festival

The issue blew out of proportion when the state received several complaints from Hindus that the sports event was scheduled for Jan 27, during the Thaipusam celebration, preventing many from the community from taking part in it.

Deputy Chief Minister II and Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairperson P Ramasamy denied any involvement in the event, accusing the organiser of being "insensitive" by holding it on the same day as the annual religious event, which attracts a massive crowd.

Organised by Tanjung Social Club and Penang Forwards Sports Club, Penang Run 2013 will be held at Universiti Sains Malaysia from 6am on Jan 27 and has Gerakan members in its organising committee, state BN Youth chief Oh Teong Keong said.

Lim at a press conference yesterday urged parties that want to use the word (alone) in their events to seek permission from the state.

NONE Today, The Star in its front-page report headlined "State government lays claim to the word ‘Penang'," quoted several quarters recording their displeasure with Lim's statement, including a lawyer who questioned the legality of the CM's purported ruling.

The Star

also quoted state MCA Wanita chief Tan Cheng Liang ( above ) as pointing out that the word ‘Penang' does not belong to Lim.

"At the rate DAP is going, pretty soon he will be telling Penang hawkers that they cannot use the name Penang laksa, Penang char koey teow or Penang hokkien mee," Tan is quoted as saying.

State BN chief Teng Chang Yeow said the previous administration never prevented any party from using the word, adding "of course, the state government crest is a different matter".

Meanwhile, Lim said the run started off as Penang Free Port Run - a Gerakan effort - but the title was then changed to Penang Run 2013 so that the event is not identified with the party.

He expressed hope that The Star would correct its report.