A photo war has been raging between Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, MCA and BN strategic communication department deputy director Eric See-To.

At the heart of the controversy is a 37-year-old businessperson with a 'Dato Seri' title, who is accused of collecting a whopping RM19 million from a firm after promising them he would be able to hit the brakes on MACC's probe into the Penang undersea tunnel scandal.

Following this, photos of the suspect and Guan Eng surfaced while the latter revealed photos of BN leaders with the businessperson's wife.

Continuing the saga this afternoon, MCA publicity spokesperson Ti Lian Ker claimed that the main issue is not about the photos.

“But the links between the Penang state government, the chief minister, his excos, the special purpose vehicle with this corruption suspect, whereas other BN leaders do not have such issues of MACC investigating BN-led government projects,” he said in a statement.

Ti, who is also a MCA central committee member, said Lim is answerable for the undersea tunnel project.

“It was Lim who issued an open letter via Bulletin Mutiara, the Penang-run state publication.

“Bulletin Mutiara itself also announced about the award of this project in its March, 4 2013 edition hyping the inclusion of China’s renowned construction giants CRCC and BUCG,” he added.

Ti also argued that Lim cannot be so “stupendously naive” not to be aware that there is a chasm of difference between having one's photo taken with a public figure as opposed to the person riding in the backseat of the same car as the chief minister.

The MCA leader was referring to the second photo, which showed Lim sharing a light moment with the businessperson in a car.

During a press conference yesterday, Lim had questioned how these photographs were being leaked to the media.

"Even I do not have them,” he said.

Lim said there might be more photographs of him and the businessperson, including with the latter's wife and family members.

"So what is common to me will lead the BN media to ask next why I am taking photos with his wife and family members. Does the act of taking photos with him, his wife and family make both of us close buddies?

"If taking photos with his wife makes us buddies, then will the BN media also print photos of his wife with other BN leaders?" he asked.