Penang opposition leader Azhar Ibrahim today lodged a police report against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng concerning the latter’s statement which was regarded as seditious and racist at the state assembly sitting last Monday.

Azhar, who is Penaga assemblyperson, said Lim’s statement had caused uneasiness among the people and could lead to racial disharmony.

“I lodged the police report today in my capacity as Penaga assemblyperson and I want the police to investigate the statement made by the chief minister because it was clearly seditious,” he told reporters after lodging the report at Lebuh Pantai police station in George Town today.

Present were his lawyer, Abu Bakar Sidek, Penang Umno liaison committee deputy chairperson Musa Sheikh Fadzir and several Barisan Nasional assemblypersons.

During the state assembly sitting on Monday, Lim was quoted as saying: “If Umno returns to power, I feel Hindu temples will be threatened.”

The chief minister, however, stressed that when he made the statement, he was referring to the recent demolition of a temple located in the area of Penang Port by Penang Port Sdn Bhd.

Azhar said the word ‘threatened’ used by Lim was dangerous and seditious as it could lead the Indians to hate Umno and the Malays.

“Although the statement was made during the state assembly sitting and Lim is protected by immunity, it was heard by members of the public.

“This is not a joke because it involves seditious statement. So, we will leave it to the police to investigate the case,” he added.

- Bernama