Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had overreacted to suggestions for Penang to be turned into a federal territory, said MCA vice-president Chew Mei Fun.

In a statement today, Chew said that the matter was never discussed by BN's top leadership and it remains merely a suggestion by Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

She accused Lim of manipulating the issue for political purposes through the new "I love Penang" campaign which has the potential to trigger anti-Putrajaya sentiments.

"The overreaction by DAP in launching the 'I Love Penang’ counter-campaign is purely a plot to incite sentiments of the Penangites for political gains," said Chew.

In an immediate response, Lim said Chew was not a Penangite and thus she does not feel threatened by Tengku Adnan's remark.

"Because she is not a Penangite, she will take the matter lightly or has a very superficial view of matter but Penangites feel threatened by this suggestion," Lim told reporters in Penang today.

He explained that Tengku Adnan's "suggestion" carried weight because he is both a cabinet minister and the secretary-general of Umno.

"He is senior to Chew, and he is not an ordinary minister," said Lim.

Chow to head 'I love Penang' campaign

He said although Chew may have lived in Penang before and served as state MCA head, she was out of touch now. Lim himself was born in Johor.

He also expressed regret that Chew had chosen to criticise him rather than support the "I love Penang" campaign.

"She is working hand in hand with BN and Umno and does not have the interest of Penangites at heart, so there is no point addressing her.

"She has no more relevance. She failed and has now been replaced as state MCA head by Tan Teik Cheng. She has gone back to wherever she came from," he added.

Later at the press conference, Lim and his state cabinet members displayed the "I love Penang" logo in four languages.

Penang DAP chairperson Chow Kon Yeow had been appointed the head of the campaign, aimed at protesting against Tengku Adnan's proposal.

"The content of the campaign will be announced later, for I have just been appointed today," Chow said.