SEBERANG Perai Selatan police chief Lee Chong Chern has lodged a report against a DAP councillor over an alleged defamatory statement posted on Facebook.

Seberang Perai city councillor David Marshel alleged that police had deliberately refused to give approval to a Hindu temple in Seberang Perai for a chariot procession.

Marshel also accused Lee of undermining the unity government by “sowing hatred among Hindu devotees” towards the administration.

Lee said an investigation paper has been opened, and the case will be investigated under section 500 of the penal code for defamation, and section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for online content that is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person.

On Wednesday, Marshel wrote on Facebook that the police chief had intentionally delayed and refused permits for a religious procession of the Hindu community in the district.

Marshel further alleged that several temple applications had been unreasonably rejected.

“It clearly denied the right of the Hindus to hold religious ceremonies.

“Does he hate the Hindus, or what makes him deny the right that is evident under the country’s constitution?

“The district police chief is trying to fail the unity government by sowing hatred against the government from the Hindus in the area,” Marshel wrote.

Meanwhile, the Free Malaysia Today news portal reported Lee met with the temple committee yesterday and its application was approved with certain restrictions and conditions.

“The temple committee was told that they must be responsible for the prayers and procession. They agreed and said they would comply,” he told the news portal. – May 4, 2023.