Even as I do not wish to prolong this tit-for-tat argument, the tendentious and unsubstantiated accusations made against me by Chris Lee on Sept 21 cannot go uncorrected.

On Sept 7, 2016, I sent my article to the Buletin Mutiara requesting a right of reply to two articles in the Buletin concerning me. After several days of silence, I called the director of communications to ask if the Buletin planned to publish my reply.

I began by asking the director whether the Buletin’s editorial policy provided for the right of reply. To my surprise, she resolutely remained silent and refused to answer with either a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’, even with repeated questioning.

She finally said she had to refer to her boss. I also said that since it was the Buletin that carried the two articles concerning me, I chose to first approach the Buletin, rather than the general media, to publish my reply. But if the Buletin refused my request I would have little choice but to send it to the media. This was not a threat but simply a statement of what I planned to do.

I am in no position of authority to punish or threaten the director. Hence the issue of threatening and bullying raised by Chris Lee is illogical, absurd and insidious.

Such character assassination is a ploy to divert attention from the fundamental issue of the Buletin Mutiara’s failure to live up to the very principles that the chief minister of Penang has repeatedly criticised other news outlets for not practising. Citizens who voted in the Pakatan Rakyat (as it was then) government expect its leaders to practise what they preach.

In my press statement I remained professional and consciously avoided naming anyone. Unfortunately, Chris Lee, who was not even part of the conversation and had nothing to do with it, has unprofessionally named Ms Yap (the director) and dragged her into the fray.

Chris Lee, riding on his high horse, berated my colleagues and me for criticising the Penang state government but not the Barisan Nasional (BN). He further accused us of playing into the hands of BN and asked me, “Where are you when the real battles are being fought?”

Chris Lee is a young politician eager to make his mark. Let me remind him that, before he was born, I, together with Anwar Ibrahim and others, paid the price and suffered the pangs of the Internal Security Act when we spoke and acted against the federal government in 1974.

I have continued to oppose unjust policies and fought in “battles” through other civil movements, such as Bersih and Aliran.

I advise Chris Lee to exhibit more humility and decorum in his remarks and not to blindly follow his leaders in character assassination.

All governments, be they BN or Pakatan Harapan, must be held accountable and subject to due criticism.

I have and will continue to join hands with Chris Lee and his colleagues to battle all forms of injustice, irrespective of who is in government. Will they reciprocate and be critical when their leaders fail to walk the talk?

Or is it gander for you and goose for me?

DR LIM MAH HUI is an economist and former international banker.