[UPDATED] Senior cop lodges report over Penang councillor’s procession permit post

GEORGE TOWN – A senior police officer has lodged a report against a Seberang Prai municipal councillor alleging libel, following the latter’s social media post over police’s apparent refusal to grant a permit for a religious procession in Nibong Tebal.

Seberang Prai Selatan district police chief Lee Chong Chern lodged the report earlier against P. David Marshel, who is also the president of Malaysian Tamil Kural.

The report was lodged under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act in response to Marshel’s social media post.

“I have lodged a report and we will investigate the matter,” Lee told journalists here.

Marshel claimed that the district police chief had intentionally delayed and refused permits for a religious procession of the Hindu community in the district.

Under Section 500 of the Penal Code, whoever defames another shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to two years or with a fine or with both.

Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act allows for action to be taken against online content that is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person. 

If convicted, the offender could be fined of not more than RM50,000 or faces prison for up to one year, or both.

Earlier, the office of the deputy chief minister II issued a statement which alleged that the district police chief was irresponsible in obstructing the impending procession of the Pedati Kui temple in Seberang Prai Selatan.

“The organisers from the temple made an application on April 10 for the procession, which is scheduled for June 2. 

“The organisers have gone several times to receive updates on their application, but the only reply they received was that it is being processed.”

“This has made them anxious,” the office stated.

The office also described the procession as an important religious and traditional event for the community there.

The office also alleged that other temples in the district also faced difficulties in getting approval for their religious events.

Problems for Hindus in Seberang Prai Selatan

Meanwhile, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy plans to lodge a counter-report against Lee.

Taking to Facebook, Ramasamy said that his staffers will lodge a police report against Lee for refusing police permits for Hindu temples’ annual religious festivals in the district.

“I have been in Penang for 15 years as DCM II and chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board. 

“During these years, we have had no problems with police in all the five districts.

“However, when Lee became the OCPD of Seberang Prai Selatan, Hindus in the district began experiencing problems getting their permits for temple or chariot processions,” Ramasamy alleged.

He cited an instance where the management of the Kuil Maha Muthalaman temple in Bukit Tambun had applied for a police permit to mark their annual religious occasion.

“The permit was applied for on April 10 for the religious procession to take place on June 2.

“To date, police have not issued the permit.

“The person behind the unreasonable restrictions on Hindu religious activities in Seberang Prai Selatan is none other than the current OCPD, Lee.

“He is not only arrogant and insensitive to the religious needs of the Hindus, but refuses to issue permits to the Hindu temples in the districts. I am not sure whether he is equally insensitive and uncaring to other religious festivals in the districts."

“I have messaged the CPO in Penang about the irresponsible conduct of Lee.

“To date, he has not replied to my message. My calls to him yesterday went unanswered.

“After failing to get the response from the CPO, I had no choice but to message Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution (Ismail)."

Saifuddin, he said, responded to his message saying that he would look into the matter.

“Anyway, since the OCPD has chosen the path of confrontation, we have no choice but to lodge a police report against him,” said Ramasamy. – The Vibes, May 4, 2023