Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng says if yellow balloons fall on him during an official function, like they did on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor, he will just accept them.

After all, Lim said, the yellow balloons carried the words “democracy, free media and justice”.

Lim said this at a press conference at Komtar today when asked how would he react if such balloons fell on him during an official event.

Lim asked if these words were now illegal, since performance artist Bilqis Hijjaz, who released seven yellow balloons at an event attended by Najib in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, was questioned by police for insulting the prime minister.

“How can words like democracy, free media and justice be considered intentional insult?

“If these words are an offence, does it mean they are illegal and insulting? Will the government now move to ban these words?” Lim asked.

He urged the police not to proceed with such “utterly ridiculous and illogical” actions against the dancer.

If she were to be charged with a crime, he said, it would only show that Malaysia has become a police state.

“Malaysia will then become a laughing stock as there will be no freedom of expression in arts,” he added.

Bilqis, a dancer, was questioned for “intentionally insulting” Najib and Rosmah when the couple was on the ground floor at the centre court of the Pavilion shopping mall in Bukit Bintang to officiate the Diversecity Kuala Lumpur International Arts Festival.

The balloons, which were dropped from a higher floor by Bilqis, were decorated with the words "Free media", "Democracy" and "Justice", among others.

Her action comes after tens of thousands of people attended a 34-hour rally organised by electoral reeform movement Bersih at Dataran Merdeka last weekend.

'Intent to provoke a breach of the peace'

Among others, Bersih demanded that Najib resigns over the RM2.6 billion ‘donation’ in his private bank accounts, which were deposited just before the 13th general election in May 2013.

Detained and questioned by police at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters yesterday under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, Bilqis faces a jail term of up to two years or fined or both, if found guilty.

Lim said Malaysia is a democratic country and it would be “senseless” for words like those on the balloons to be considered “dirty words”.

He said words like ‘Bersih" (clean) and ‘donation’ should also be considered dirty words in Malaysia.

Last week, Lim had to withdraw the state's 'Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah' Merdeka theme and adopt the national theme of "Sehati Sejiwa".

He did so after federal government agencies were prohibited from attending the state Merdeka parade on grounds that the word 'Bersih' was sensitive, linking it to the mammoth rally planned to be held in Kuala Lumpur the weekend before Merdeka day.

Lim added: “Something is very wrong with this country if words like these become offensive and illegal to use.

“We hope the police will not start persecuting dancers because such action will only give Malaysia a black eye and show that we are bankrupt of ideas.

“It will also show how certain quarters are willing to go to whatever level to cover-up allegations of financial scandals involving the 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion donation in Najib’s private bank accounts.

“Was anyone injured or hurt during the event? I hope police will leave Bilqis alone, for she has no political affiliation.”