The transcript of the interview with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng conducted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio does not show any comment by him on Johor’s safety records, as claimed by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Lim’s office today provided the link to official transcript of the interview conducted by ABC’s Cameron Wilson for the Connect Asia current affairs radio programme to disprove Muhyiddin’s claim.

The transcript was sent along with a letter demanding an apology from Bernama, which quoted Muhyiddin criticising Lim in its report on Sept 23 titled Lim Guan Eng should not sabotage other states - Muhyiddin.

“During the interview, Lim did not mention Johor. Lim discussed about the asylum seekers deal, the repeal of the Internal Security Act(ISA) and about Penang.

“At no time did he even mention the word Johor and make any reference to the situation in other states in Malaysia during the Radio Australia interview,” wrote Lim’s press secretary Wong Kim Fei.

Wong’s letter to Bernama editor-in-chief Yong Soo Heong said the article, which he described as “false, untrue and a pack of lies” had caused Lim to be attacked with “wild ferocity” by Umno leaders.

As such, Lim is seeking an unconditional apology, failing which legal action will be taken.

Bernama had previously apologised to Lim on March 14, 2008, over a erroneous report published two days earlier.

According to the Sept 23 Bernama report, Lim had “allegedly” said that Johor was not a safe state where kidnappings are common, unlike Penang.

The report quotes Muhyiddin saying that Lim was undermining Johor and painting the state as an unsuitable investment destination.