GEORGE TOWN, Aug 21 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge to dump a bucket of ice on his head in aid of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The gimmick, which has seen billionaires, movie stars and politicians doing it and sharing it on social media, was started some weeks ago in the United States to raise awareness and funds in aid of ALS organisations.

Lim, who was nominated by a radio DJ to take up the challenge two days ago, announced today that he will accept the challenge while at the same time donate USD100 (RM317) to an ALS organisation.

“I will go through with this challenge during this Sunday’s Occupy Beach Street event at 7.30am,” he told a press conference at his office in Komtar today.

The original idea behind the challenge was that when the gauntlet was thrown down, the person challenged either needed to give USD100 to ALS or dump ice water on his head.

Most who take up the challenge have opted to both donate and get soaked while also post videos of them doing it on social media.

After completing the challenge, the person can issue challenges to three other people to follow suit.

Lim, in accepting the challenge, named Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and China Press editor-in-chief Teoh Yang Khoon.

“I will name the third person in my challenge this Sunday after I complete my challenge,” he said, adding that he will only name those who are “sporting” enough to accept the challenge.

Big names worldwide such as Oprah Winfrey, George W. Bush, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Selena Gomez, Gwen Stefani, Robert Downey Jr., Kate Upton and Steven Spielberg have accepted the challenge.

Closer to home, Nazri had already completed the challenge before Lim named him and Sports and Youth Minister Khairy Jamaluddin also took up the challenge.

Local celebrities who have participated include personalities such as Lisa Surihani, Daphne Iking, Amber Chia and Adam Carruthers.