Police probe Guan Eng’s statement over use of ‘Allah’ word

(Bernama) – The police are investigating a statement by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in the state, Penang Police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi said today.

He is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code which deals on intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, and faces a maximum jail term of two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Abdul Rahim said the police had so far recorded statements from nine individuals. He did not rule out the possibility of recording statements from more people under the probe.

Penang Police had received nine reports from various quarters with regard to Lim’s statement, he told reporters after opening a police community programme here.

Last Friday, several portals reported Lim as having allegedly said that non-Muslims in the state could use the word ‘Allah’ as the restriction on its use, as provided for in the Penang State Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2004, applied only to Muslims.