Don't be a tool for private interests, media told
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has cautioned the media against being used as a tool to promote private projects and interests – particularly when such projects have not been approved or even considered by the ministries or state governments.
In a statement to Malaysiakini last night, Lim said Putrajaya receives numerous proposals that claim to have financial backing worth tens or even hundreds of billions of ringgit...
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has cautioned the media against being used as a tool to promote private projects and interests – particularly when such projects have not been approved or even considered by the ministries or state governments.
In a statement to Malaysiakini last night, Lim said Putrajaya receives numerous proposals that claim to have financial backing worth tens or even hundreds of billions of ringgit.
"However, these proposals need to be scrutinised comprehensively and comply with due diligence, to differentiate from genuine proposals deserving further attention and those that are half-baked ideas or even scams."
Lim also attacked The Star again for "choosing to sensationally plaster" its Monday front page with two purportedly new airport proposals for the northern region of the peninsula.
At the time, he described the report as "sensational," and said the baseless claims sowed confusion among communication and transport industry players.
The proposals were for two airports in Seberang Perai, which were said to pose a threat to the Penang International Airport and a new airport planned for Kulim.
The Star report was also rubbished by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (photo) and the Transport Ministry.
The Kedah government, which had approved plans to build a new cargo airport in Kulim, appeared to be in the dark about the matter as well.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, meanwhile, said he has only read about these proposals in the media.
Lim said these denials directly contradicted The Star report, which made several speculative claims, including that one of the proposals were presented to the Prime Minister’s Office on Jan 14.
The Star also claimed that the sponsor had been planning the project for four years.
"Clearly, only The Star is privy to information relating to the project’s viability or the financial track record and background of the sponsors," Lim said.
"Would The Star be printing each of these proposals as front page exclusives on a daily basis, solely based on what their promoters claim?"
Lim said the government was appreciative of "professional, responsible and ethical journalism based on facts and figures that filter out baseless, spurious and preposterous claims that only sow confusion" among industries and the public.
"Failure to do so would make them no different from being a purveyor of fake news or a servant of certain private interests, with little thought to the unfortunate consequences of making those claims."
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