POLICE are looking into dozens of reports lodged against Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng over his recent remarks likening a union between opposition parties Umno and PAS as a “war against non-Malays”.

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun today said the investigation started last week, after the first reports were lodged against Lim, who is also the DAP secretary-general.

“The police have received 58 reports, up until two days ago. I don’t have the latest number.

“Statements will be taken. We will also interview the minister when the time comes,” he told reporters in Penang today.

The investigation comes under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code – for making statements conducing to public mischief with the intent to incite or which is likely to incite any class or community of persons to commit offence against any class or community.

In a statement last week, Lim said the Umno-PAS political cooperation was akin to “declaring war” against non-Malays.

He revised that statement hours later, removing the word “war”.

However, his comments earned backlash from critics who accused Lim of inciting racial hatred. – The Malaysian Insight, March 12, 2019.