Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he will not be able to attend the Penang Barisan Nasional's Chinese New Year open house which will be held at the Han Chiang High School field here this morning.

Lim said could not make it as he had to welcome Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah at the Bayan Lepas Internantional Airport at 11am.

He said Her Majesty is scheduled to attend the Chinese New Year open house of a friend.

"As the Chief Minister of Penang, I have to welcome the arrival of Her Majesty in Penang. I have informed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that I will not be able to attend the (BN's) open house," he told reporters after attending a Chinese New Year open house hosted by the Penang Chinese Assembly Halls at its premises here Monday.

The open house was also attended by Najib.

Among the other dignitaries present were Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and wife Toh Puan Majimor Shariff, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Minister of Tourism Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Penang Chinese Assembly Hall chairman Datuk Lam Wu Chong.