Star Media Group chief executive officer Wong Chun Wai has responded to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng showing a photograph of him with a businessperson arrested over the undersea tunnel issue.

In a statement, Wong explained that as a media practitioner and due to his position, he meets various individuals.

“Many times, I am asked for photographs to be taken with them, most of which are unknown to me. I do not know this particular person implicated (in the tunnel project),” he added.

Wong explained that the photo shown by Lim was taken on Aug 8 last year at the StarProperty.my Real Estate Awards Night 2017 at Nexus Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur.

He also took a sarcastic swipe at Lim with regards to the venue where the photograph was taken and footwear.

“As is evident in this photo where there are more than two persons present, this is a public function and not in anyone's private residence.

“I was dressed in my black dinner jacket and for sure was wearing my shoes when that particular photo was taken,” he said.

Previously, a photograph of the chief minister with the businessperson was released by BN strategic communications department deputy director Eric See-To (photo).

Lim later said as a public figure, he had taken numerous photographs with many personalities and cannot recall where each photograph was taken.

The chief minister also described this as a smear campaign against him.

Both See-To and MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong had asked if the photograph was taken at the businessperson's residence and pointed to the fact that both Lim and the businessperson appeared to be barefoot.

The businessperson in question was implicated in receiving an RM19 million bribe to close the MACC probe on the RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel project.