Umno's media portal has been sharply criticised for nine articles allegedly containing wild allegations against the son of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

The articles by Umno Online from Oct 18 to 28 centred on unsubstantiated allegations that Lim's son had allegedly molested a female classmate and was removed from his school.

NONE These allegations first surfaced in pro-Umno blogs, including Papagomo, but Lim has vehemently denied that the incident took place.

Lim's political secretary Zairil Mohd Khir ( left ) said one of the contentious articles accused the chief minister of covering up the matter by paying RM200,000 to the family of the victim.

Another disparaging article, Zairil said, was posted on Oct 21 headlined Kalau Fitnah Guan Eng Patut Saman Bukan Beri Kenyataan Berbelit-belit, which supposedly referred to a false report in Guang Ming Daily .

However, the Chinese language newspaper had the same day denied the report, he said.

"These allegations are slanderous, malicious and totally unsubstantiated," Zairil added after lodging a police report against the portal yesterday.

"What is even worse is that the reports were simply played up, even though those involved had come out to deny the wild allegations," he said.

No evidence on allegation

The alleged victim, Hong Kong-born Anya Corke, a former chess champion, had in a strong worded statement on Oct 21 denied that she had been molested.

State education department director Ahmad Tarmize Kamaruddin has said there was no evidence to link Lim's 16-year-old son to the allegations.

This was on top of the denial by the youth's former school principal, Goh Boon Poh of SMJK Heng Ee, who said the allegations were not the reason why Lim's son was transferred to St Xavier's Institution.

"Although a lot of proof has surfaced, Umno Online continued its attacks without reporting the truth, " said Zairil.

"Umno Online not only failed to retract the articles or apologise, but continues to publish articles that are known to be false and slanderous," he added.

Zairil said the publication of the nine contentious articles was a crime under Section 499 of the Penal Code, Section 8A of the 1984 Printing Presses and Publications Act and Section 211 of the 1998 Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act.

He urged the police to take the appropriate action against the news portal to prevent it from confusing the people and disparaging the good name of the chief minister and his family.

Related stories

BN has RM5 penalty in mind for Guan Eng

Guan Eng warns of mat rempit taking over the state

BN denies involvement in motorbikers' protest