[UPDATED] Cops investigate Guan Eng for sedition over alleged ‘temple’ remark

KUALA LUMPUR – Police have begun an investigation against DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng for making allegedly sensitive remarks regarding the destruction of temples if “the green wave” sweeps Penang in the state elections.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director Datuk GS Suresh Kumar said several reports have been lodged against Lim over remarks he allegedly made in a report by news portal MalaysiaNow, published on July 8.

In a statement, Suresh said Lim’s remarks are “believed to touch on ‘3R’ issues (rulers, religion and race) by alleging that the ‘green wave’ will destroy temples and deny religious rights in Penang”.

Suresh also said Lim allegedly made those remarks while speaking at the Tian Fu Gong Bai Long Wang Singapore-Malaysia Tour 2023 programme in Tokong Batu, Jelutong on July 7.

The investigation is being conducted under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

The term “green wave” has been used since the 15th general election in November to refer to Perikatan Nasional (PN), of which Islamist party PAS is a component, after the PN coalition made big inroads in the polls by sweeping more seats than expected in areas once deemed Pakatan Harapan strongholds.

MalaysiaNow in its report said Lim had warned of the erosion of religious freedom in Penang which is among six states to hold elections on August 12.

Lim reportedly said that “if the green wave doesn’t like the temples they see, they would destroy it. But as long as Penang remains the same, people can still worship their gods”.

This quote had been translated from the original report in Mandarin by China Press.

Penang is under a PH government, and Lim had previously been its chief minister. 

He also represents Penang in Parliament, as Bagan MP, and had a seat in the Penang legislature as Air Putih representative until the assembly’s dissolution recently.

After MalaysiaNow’s report, PN Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari ordered coalition Youth members to lodge police reports nationwide against Lim for being racially provocative.

In response, Lim, in a Facebook post this afternoon, said he had been wrongly quoted by MalaysiaNow, clarifying that China Press had published another report to state that MalaysiaNow had translated its report wrongly. 

Lim said he never mentioned Chinese or Buddhist temples in Penang, but had instead mentioned the demolition of a Hindu temple in Kedah in 2020. – The Vibes, July 9, 2023