Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said it was ridiculous for state Barisan Nasional chairman Teng Chang Yeow to accuse the state government of washing their hands of the nudist camp issue in Teluk Kampi, located within the Penang National Park.

“We (the state) have no final decision-making powers relating to the park,” he said.

Lim said the state government instead had chosen not to politicise the issue even though a former Gerakan Wanita leader was said to be involved.

“I am surprised that Teng is so ignorant of the basics of governance as a former Penang executive councillor for claiming the state had powers of authority over the Penang National Park solely on the basis of the state secretary and three other representatives being nominated by the state to the National Park Advisory Council under Section 5 of the 1980 National Parks Act,” he said in a statement.

He said Teng’s allegation was baseless as the National Park Advisory Council chairman was secretary-general of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and a majority of the council members were appointed by the Federal government.

He reiterated that neither the state Nor the federal and state government would condone such activities.

“We urge the public to give the federal authorities time to complete their investigation, even though a Penang National Park Ranger (who is under Federal government payroll) has assisted the participants of the nudist camp,” said Lim.

Teng had said earlier that state executive councillor Phee Boon Phoe, who was a member of the park committee, had confirmed with the media regarding jurisdiction in matters relating to the park.

“It is now for the chief minister to reflect himself from escaping himself from responsibilities,” he said.