Penang police probed DAP's Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer under the 1954 Election Offences Act for promoting ill-will and hostility by allegedly repeating the words "Umno celaka" (Umno be damned) outside the Penang state legislative assembly.
Northeast district police chief Mior Faridalatrash Wahid said the probe was launched following more than 40 reports lodged nationwide against Rayer for his controversial remark.
"We just took his statement about the matter," Mior toldMalaysiakini, when contacted.
Mior said that investigation papers probing Rayer (above) under Section 4(1) of the 1954 Election Offences Act has just been sent to the Attorney-General's Chambers who will decide whether the matter will be prosecuted.
"We just sent it and are waiting instructions for further action," he added.
Rayer's remark uttered in the state assembly on May 20 led to a noisy rally by Umno Youth, Perkasa and the Federation of Peninsula Malay Students the next day outside the state assembly building along Light Street.
In an unprecedented move, a group of 12 barged into the House looking for Rayer, to demand and apology and retraction of the remark as they felt he had insulted the Malays and Islam.
The state assembly gate, Malaysia and Penang flags were damaged during the incident which happened during the Bukit Gelugor by-election campaign period.
Rayer also angered Umno Youth members in Kuala Lumpur as they turned up at the DAP headquarters on May 22, tore down the party's billboard and threatened to torch the building.
Rayer denies repeating remarks
When contacted, Rayer said he was questioned for 90 minutes by the police at the Jelutong police station last Thursday.
He denied repeating the remark against Umno, saying he had merely tried to explain his remarks and the incidents leading up to it at a ceramah in Bukit Gelugor.
The Bukit Gelugor by-election on May 25 saw the DAP's Ramkarpal Singh retaining the parliamentary seat for the party.
Despite repeated calls by Umno led by state Opposition leader Jahara Hamid (right), Rayer still maintains that he would not apologise or retract his remarks.
"What is said in the state assembly was said and done there," he said.
"I will take whatever that comes my way, and will see the outcome of the probe before planning any further action," he added, when asked his next course of action.
If guilty, Rayer faces a maximum jail term of five years, a RM10,000 fine or both.
He may also be barred from standing for elections and banned from voting for five years from the date of conviction. A guilty conviction requires an elected representative to vacate his seat to pave way for a by-election.
Rayer said he is also investigated for allegedly uttering insults with the intention to provoke and breach peace under under Section 504 of the Penal Code, which carries a two year jail term or fine or both.
He explained that he merely directed celaka remark to three Umno leaders, and not the Malays or Islam, as the trio had attended a rally where banners blaming DAP for the May 13, 1969 race riots.
Northeast district police chief Mior Faridalatrash Wahid said the probe was launched following more than 40 reports lodged nationwide against Rayer for his controversial remark."We just took his statement about the matter," Mior toldMalaysiakini, when contacted.
Mior said that investigation papers probing Rayer (above) under Section 4(1) of the 1954 Election Offences Act has just been sent to the Attorney-General's Chambers who will decide whether the matter will be prosecuted.
"We just sent it and are waiting instructions for further action," he added.
Rayer's remark uttered in the state assembly on May 20 led to a noisy rally by Umno Youth, Perkasa and the Federation of Peninsula Malay Students the next day outside the state assembly building along Light Street.
In an unprecedented move, a group of 12 barged into the House looking for Rayer, to demand and apology and retraction of the remark as they felt he had insulted the Malays and Islam.The state assembly gate, Malaysia and Penang flags were damaged during the incident which happened during the Bukit Gelugor by-election campaign period.
Rayer also angered Umno Youth members in Kuala Lumpur as they turned up at the DAP headquarters on May 22, tore down the party's billboard and threatened to torch the building.
Rayer denies repeating remarks
When contacted, Rayer said he was questioned for 90 minutes by the police at the Jelutong police station last Thursday.
He denied repeating the remark against Umno, saying he had merely tried to explain his remarks and the incidents leading up to it at a ceramah in Bukit Gelugor.
The Bukit Gelugor by-election on May 25 saw the DAP's Ramkarpal Singh retaining the parliamentary seat for the party.Despite repeated calls by Umno led by state Opposition leader Jahara Hamid (right), Rayer still maintains that he would not apologise or retract his remarks.
"What is said in the state assembly was said and done there," he said.
"I will take whatever that comes my way, and will see the outcome of the probe before planning any further action," he added, when asked his next course of action.
If guilty, Rayer faces a maximum jail term of five years, a RM10,000 fine or both.
He may also be barred from standing for elections and banned from voting for five years from the date of conviction. A guilty conviction requires an elected representative to vacate his seat to pave way for a by-election.
Rayer said he is also investigated for allegedly uttering insults with the intention to provoke and breach peace under under Section 504 of the Penal Code, which carries a two year jail term or fine or both.
He explained that he merely directed celaka remark to three Umno leaders, and not the Malays or Islam, as the trio had attended a rally where banners blaming DAP for the May 13, 1969 race riots.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.