Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng expressed hope that the media would not sensationalise the incident of oil spill off the coast of Penang.

"We hope there will be no more sensational headlines (in the newspapers) as it would have a big impact. We are always open and frank (to questions about the matter)," Lim told reporters after launching the Penang Amazing Race at Fort Corwallis.

He said if the people had any question or information, the state government would convey the matter to the federal government for immediate action.

Last Friday night, news about an oil spill from a vessel anchored off Perai broke out and Lim described it as a "major disaster".

The spill purportedly resulted in oil pollution over 77 square miles of water.

Lim urged the media to report in the same prominent manner that the oil spill had been cleaned up, just as they have reported the incident.

"The authorities in charge of the operation successfully managed to contain and clean up the oil spill," Lim said.

"We hope the media will report the clean up in the same vein and treatment as they reported the incident when it happened, that they would treat the matter the same way as the case has been resolved now," Lim added.

Lim expressed satisfaction with the efforts and swift action of the relevant government agencies, including the Marine Department and Department of Environment.

He said he received a message from Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim that assistance would be sent immediately to control and mop-up the oil spill.

"I was told the spill did not go down south but remained in the north," Lim explained.

"So far, the fish farms in the south are safe, but we still do not know the impact on marine life in the region. We hope that since the spill has been containerd quickly, the impact would be minimal," he added.

"We hope that, in future, the relevant authorities would be prepared for such an incident."