Cops conclude probe on Guan Eng’s GST sing-along

Penang police chief Comm A Thaiveegan says investigation papers have been submitted to the state prosecutor's office.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is being investigated under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have concluded investigations on Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over a goods and services tax (GST) parody sing-along at the launch of a free tuition class recently.

Penang police chief Comm A Thaiveegan said the investigation papers had been submitted to the state prosecutor’s office for perusal, decision and further direction.

Lim is being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998).

The law deals with the improper use of network facilities or network services and carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000, a prison term not exceeding one year, or both.

On March 18, a political party and two NGOs had alleged that Lim had brought a compact disc to the launch of the tuition class and taught the children to sing the “ABC” song but with lyrics which insulted the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Penang Front Party chairman Patrick Ooi, Penang Surplus Welfare Association president Sophian Mohd Zain and 1Malaysia People’s Welfare Association president Mohd Ibrahim A Siahoo lodged police reports on the matter.

Lim sang and danced to the song after officiating the Penang government’s free tuition class at the Mutiara Idaman 2 flats in Jelutong on March 17.

The free tuition classes come under the state’s youth empowerment programme, Penggerak Komuniti Muda Pulau Pinang (Peka).

Some 1,000 students across Penang are currently benefiting from the Peka programme, which offers free tuition classes for UPSR and SPM students.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching also sang the “GST song” in the Dewan Rakyat to drive home her point that Malaysians were burdened by the consumption tax.