Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng wants a full withdrawal and unconditional public apology from Bernama for spreading ‘for false news and lies,' or else face legal action.

He was alleged by the news agency to have said that Johor was not a safe state where the chance of being kidnapped was high compared with Penang, in an interview with Radio Australia on Sept 20.

NONE Lim ( left ) denies he said this and has witnesses to support him.

In a letter directed to Yong Soo Heong, the Editor-in Chief of Bernama , Lim, through his press secretary (II) Wong Kim Fei, said the news agency had posted the offending reports on Sept 23.

They were headlined "Lim Guan Eng should not sabotage other states - Muhyiddin" and " Lim Guan Eng tidak sepatutnya sabotaj negeri lain - Muhyiddin ".

Wong explained that Lim was interviewed by Radio Australia on Sept 20, by Cameron Wilson.

Comprising eight languages and focusing uniquely on Asia and the Pacific, Radio Australia is the international radio and online service of the Australian national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Wong said that during the interview, Lim discussed about the asylum seekers deal, the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and about Penang but at no time did he even mention the word Johor or make any reference to the situation in other states in Malaysia.

He added that two aides accompanying Lim, Jeffrey Chew and Yap Soo Huey were present at the interview and can attest to that.

"Your false reports and lies has led to Lim being attacked with wild ferocity by Umno leaders and members, including Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, for sabotaging Johor," said Wong.

"As your report of Lim's interview with Radio Australia is false, untrue and a pack of lies, Bernama should withdraw and apologise unconditionally to Lim immediately and publish this in Bernama , failing which the Penang chief minister will be compelled to commence legal proceedings against Bernama ," he continued.

He added that the news agency had apologised to Lim once before on Mar 14 2008 following a false report against Lim on  March 12, 2008.

"We hope you will continue to uphold professional journalistic standards of integrity and truthfulness by doing so again. Remember 'opinion is free but facts are sacred'", concluded Wong.