KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 ― Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng wants Utusan Malaysia to apologise and retract a defamatory article published earlier this month, and is demanding the Umno-owned newspaper pay up RM1 million in damages.

The article in question ― “Fence sitters to determine votes?” (Pengundi atas pagar jadi penentu) by Utusan editor Zulkifli Jalil published on April 10  had alleged that Penang's wakaf land (land which someone has pledged or donated for a purpose) has been under the purview and control of the state government.

“The content is grossly and factually false/inaccurate as all wakaf land in the state of Penang are under the sole purview of the Penang state Islamic council (MAIPP),” Lim said through a letter of demand served to Utusan this morning through his lawyers.

This, Lim said was grossly inaccurate and the publication of the article in both Utusan's print and online publication had cast “severe aspersions” to his character.

The Penang CM also demanded Utusan retract the article within the next 24 hours; failing which legal proceedings would be initiated through his lawyers.

“Pay our client Ringgit Malaysia One Million (RM1,000,000) as damages for the injury to our client's reputation as well as for the embarrassment, harm and distress caused to our client within seven days from the receipt of this notice,” the letter added.