KUALA LUMPUR – Former DAP member “Superman” Hew Kuan Yau was arrested tonight for an allegedly provocative speech made while campaigning during the recent 15th general election (GE15).
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said Hew, 52, was arrested in Puchong Jaya, Selangor, this evening, and will be investigated over a speech he gave at a ceramah in Taman Pandan Mawar, Melaka, on November 18.
Hew will be held at the Dang Wangi police headquarters where police will question him further, Ramli said in a statement tonight.
On Hew’s Facebook this evening, the fiery orator posted that police from Raub had just come to his door and that he would be “taken to Raub tonight”.
“Please arrange a lawyer. Thank you,” he posted.
Ramli said Pahang police made the arrest tonight with the help of Bukit Aman police.
“Investigations will be done under Section 4A of the Election Offences Act 1953, Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998,” Ramli said.
These provisions pertain to stirring ill-feelings or discord with statements that can cause fear or alarm to the public, and abuse of telecommunication network facilities to post inappropriate content.
Ramli said Pahang police had also commenced investigations on November 17 into a video of a political party ceramah at Raub Perdana, in Pahang, in which Hew gave in Cantonese that included “elements that can disrupt the public peace”.
“A part of his ceramah has been shared widely on social media and drew negative reactions from people,” Ramli said.
Hew, who often wears a “Superman” T-shirt when giving ceramah speeches, is known for using foul and provocative language when addressing Chinese-speaking crowds.
He quit DAP in 2016 after making controversial remarks about Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad but was still called upon by the party to campaign in certain areas for Pakatan Harapan.
In GE15, besides campaigning in Raub, Hew also reportedly gave ceramah in Kampar, Perak. – The Vibes, November 23, 2022
