BUKIT GELUGOR Police have handed over two investigation papers on election offences in the Bukit Gelugor by-election to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.  

Bukit Gelugor by-election police spokesperson ACP Azmi Adam said the nvestigation papers were opened in accordance with the Election Offences Act 1954 pertaining to an alleged racist statement made by Independent candidate Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad Zan and the use of musical instruments on nomination day.  

“Currently, police have received nine reports on the two cases,” he told reporters in George Town today.

On May 5, Abu Backer Sidek was reported to have uttered the word ‘pariah’ at his press conference at Dewan Sri Pinang after the nomination of candidates. He claimed that he was referring to a group of street demonstrators and not the Indian community.  

Following the incident, two Tamil daily journalists lodged police reports after the Independent candidate refused to withdraw the statement which was deemed to have hurt the sensitivities of the Indians.

Meanwhile, Azmi said police had issued 15 permits for ‘ceramah’ (talks) to the DAP. So far, there have been no applications from the other candidates.

He advised the contesting parties to observe regulations during the campaign and urged candidates who wish to hold ceramah to apply for permits.

The Bukit Gelugor by-election on Sunday is a four-cornered fight among Mohamed Nabi Bux, Abu Backer Sidek, Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Huan Cheng Guan and Ramkarpal Singh Deo of the DAP.

- Bernama