Penang executive council member Dr Afif Bahardin turned the tables on the police, who questioned him today on a banner linking him to an alleged Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) fundraising dinner.

Questioned by the police for 30 minutes at the Seberang Perai district police headquarters in Bukit Mertajam, Afif called for Permatang Pauh Umno chief Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said to be investigated for his "racist" remarks about the Chinese community.

Afif ( below , right ), who is PKR’s Seberang Jaya assemblyperson, told the police that he has lodged a report denying any involvement in the fundraising dinner, as claimed in the banner.

He said police are investigating the banner case under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code for incitement of public unrest and have also questioned Seberang Jaya Municipal Council member Amir Ghazali.

Police also plan to call up PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu on the matter, he said, but they have not acted on the police reports lodged against Mohd Zaidi.

Mohd Zaidi at the recent Umno general assembly said Penang is successful due to illegal activities like prostitution and gambling, which he claimed are run by the Chinese.

'Zaidi not called up yet?'

"Has Zaidi been called for questioning? Police should ask him to provide proof as soon as possible over his allegations," Afif, who is also PKR Youth vice-president.

A banner with a photo of the late CPM secretary-general Chin Peng, alongside photos of Amir, Afif and Mohamad, was found in Tasek Gelugor a fortnight ago.

Penang police deputy chief A Thaiveegan (right) said police will also question organisers of the Nov 29 dinner in Butterworth to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Haadyai Agreement, which was signed by Malaysia and Communist Party of Malaya.

Police have received 25 reports against the banner.

Communism is outlawed in Malaysia and those propagating the ideology or promoting the now defunct CPM can face stern action from the authorities.

Afif said he will cooperate with the police on the matter.

"(It is an) effort to slander my name and disrupt my work, not only in Seberang Jaya but also in Penang and the whole nation."

And arson at my office, too

He also urged police probe those involved in the arson act at his service centre in Seberang Jaya last week.

"I hope they will investigate the incident, since they are probing the 25 police reports against the fake banners," he said.

Accompanying him at the district police headquarters were lawyers Lim Boon Beng and Mohd Izad Bukhary.

The controversial remarks of Mohd Zaidi ( left ) in blaming the Chinese for vice in Penang raised the ire of the state government and Umno’s allies Gerakan and MCA.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the government never approves such activities and it is the task of the police to act against them.