GEORGE TOWN: Two uniformed policemen arrived at Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s office at Komtar today to question him over a goods and services tax (GST) parody sing-along at the launch of a free tuition class recently.
At 2.15pm, two officers with the ranks of deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent, arrived at a holding room, where Lim’s counsel RSN Rayer was present.
“Happy third anniversary to the GST,” Lim told press members before entering the room to have his statement taken.
The GST was implemented on April 1, 2015.
On March 18, a political party and two NGOs had alleged that Lim had brought a compact disc to the tuition class and taught the children to sing the “ABC” song which allegedly contained lyrics insulting 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.
On March 17, Lim sang along and danced to the song after officiating the Penang government’s free tuition class at the Mutiara Idaman 2 flats in Jelutong.
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.
The “GST song” was also sung in the Dewan Rakyat by Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching, who sought to drive home her point that Malaysians were burdened by the consumption tax.
Lim will be 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.
After spending about 45 minutes with the officers, Lim decried the police probe on him, saying it was “Malaysia in the era of BN”.
“You want to criticise me for singing and dancing … maybe people ‘tak seronok’ (not happy) to see me doing that. That was at a flat.
“But probing me under Section 233 of the CMA act … that is something else.
“It appears BN has become more rakus (rapacious) and is misusing its power. Criticising government policy such as the GST has become a crime.
“This is Malaysia, alaf BN (BN era),” he said.