Seven reports lodged against Ibrahim Ali

Seven reports have been lodged against Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali over his controversial call for the Malay and Jawi version of the bible containing the word 'Allah' be burned.

Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi confirmed this at a press conference at the Butterworth police station today.

However, the police have yet to take Ibrahim’s statement although Abdul Rahim said the Perkasa chief would be probed under Section 298A of the Penal Code which reads:

"Whoever, with deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person, utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing of that person, or makes any gesture in the sight of that person, or places any object in the sight of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both."

"We will be calling him very soon to take his statement over the reports," said Abdul Rahim.

When pressed to confirm whether Ibrahim would be called in this week or the next, Abdul Rahim merely maintained, "It would be very, very soon."

Recently, Ibrahim said that the police were following up on a police report lodged against him.

No show at Penang bible burning

Ibrahim, the Pasir Mas MP reportedly made the controversial bible burning call in Permatang Pauh last week, although he denied intending to hurt the feelings of Christians, saying it was a warning to those who were allegedly against the federal constitution.

Following his call, a Christian church in Butterworth lodged a police report after receiving a leaflet inviting the public to join a 'bible burning fest’ which was supposed to take place this morning at the municipal field.

The event failed to take place, while Abdul Rahim thanked Penangites, especially the Muslims for not paying heed to the call by a group claiming to be "anti-Malay bible".

Meanwhile Abdul Rahim said there were no more updates regarding abible distribution incident that took place outside a school in Jelutong, Penang last week.

This is despite seven reports lodged on the issue and 17 statements taken from various quarters to help with police investigations.