Couple give statement to police over ‘communist’ decor in restaurant

 

The wallpaper featuring the late Chairman Mao and other artwork from China’s communist past before it was taken down by police. (Bernama Reader pic)

GEORGE TOWN: A couple who ran two restaurants with communist motif across the walls, gave their statement to the police here today over the probe into allegations they were “promoting communism”.

The couple, a local and a Chinese national, were investigated under the Societies Act 1960 for promoting communism by virtue of having wallpapers of Chinese leader Mao Zedong and other artwork deemed to represent communist ideology.

Speaking to reporters outside the Penang police headquarters today, lawyer Devkumar K Kumaraendran said his clients were not promoting communism through the wallpapers at their restaurants in Pulau Tikus and Juru.

He said the restaurants have been around for the past two to four years and locals had never complained about the decor before.

Devkumar added that the couple had given their full cooperation to the police in the course of the investigation.

“The wallpapers have been there since they opened these restaurants and there have been no objections since,” he said.

The police, including those from the D7, D9 and Special Branch teams were sent to the two outlets. They ascertained that there were elements of “communist ideology” on the walls of the two restaurants.

It was previously reported that five workers were arrested and the wallpapers were taken down by the police before the investigating officers closed the restaurants, taking away the keys with them.

Politicians from government and opposition parties criticised the police over its actions. - FMT