Perikatan Nasional (PN) lodged a police report this morning against DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng.
This is over a speech in which he is accused of saying that the coalition would destroy Buddhist temples in Penang should they come to power in the upcoming state elections.
Among those present outside the Dang Wangi district police headquarters was PN Youth deputy chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who accused the DAP chairperson of capitalising on racial sentiments and “poisoning the minds” of Chinese voters for the upcoming state elections.
Lim made a speech at the 2023 Tian Fu Gong White Dragon King Singapore-Malaysia Tour event in Tokong Batu in Jelutong, Penang, on July 7.
A MalaysiaNow report – which translated a China Press report – quoted him as saying the “Green Wave” would result in temples being destroyed, but the worship of “gods and Buddha” would be protected if the current Penang government remained.
Lim later issued a denial, saying he was remarking on Hindu temples being demolished – citing a 2020 case in Kedah.
China Press also issued a clarification and a transcript that reflected Lim’s denial.
“It has never crossed my mind to use 3R (ruler, race, religion) issues to garner votes as I am certain that doing so will only disrupt the harmony amongst the various races and religions in this county,” he said on his Facebook page on Saturday (July 8).
In a statement published on Sunday, the China Press said that after “re-listening” to the recording of Lim’s speech, it had amended a passage, saying Lim had referred to “Hindu temples” and not “Buddhist temples”.
China Press has also issued a clarification that MalaysiaNow incorrectly translated Lim’s quotes.
“MalaysiaNow quoted China Press as saying that Lim claimed that the ‘Green Wave’ would demolish the Buddhist temple.
“In fact, the translation of the website was incorrect; neither the headline nor the news content mentioned Buddhist temples or Chinese temples,” the article said.
The article stated that the original publication cited Lim as saying that the ‘Green Wave’ would result in temples of other races being destroyed, but that as long as Penang remained (out of PN’s hands), freedom of religion would be upheld.
The article also included a “verbatim” transcript, in which Lim reportedly said in the “Green Wave”, temples found to be an “eyesore” – especially Hindu’s – might get torn down.
Several PN leaders such as PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad were previously investigated for allegedly spewing insults against 3R.
It was last reported in April that investigation papers on the duo were completed and would be handed over to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) for further action.
It was also reported in June that an investigation paper was opened against former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for alleged contempt towards the royal institution and would also be referred to the AGC.
However, none of the leaders have been charged.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the mistranslated news report which manipulated Lim’s statement is an attempt at character assassination.