Tok Mat to be called up by cops over kavadi remarks

KUALA LUMPUR - Police will call Barisan Nasional (BN) Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to be record a statement for allegedly making remarks that were insensitive to the Hindu community.

The statement was made by Mohamad, popularly known as Tok Mat, in interview with Asia Times when he purportedly referred to the kavadi as a “burden” in describing Umno’s defeat at the 14th General Election (GE14).

Although this was not reported in the published article, it was heard in an audio recording that had gone viral after the journalist shared on his social media account.

Sentul District Police Chief Assistant commissioner Beh Eng Lai said a investigation paper had been opened by his officers following a police report made by Bersatu’s associate wing information chief S Gobi Krishnan on Wednesday.

"We will record statements from several witnesses before calling Mohamad.

"The case will be investigated under Section 505(c) of the Penal code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act," he told Sinar when contacted today.

It was reported yesterday that Bersatu had lodged a police report against the Rantau Assemblyman for his remarks that were deemed insulting Hindus.

Previously, Gobi said the carrying of a kavadi was to fulfil vows a person had made and as a sign of gratitude to Lord Muruga during the annual Thaipusam festival.

“It is clear that he does not respect the sensitivities of the Hindu community,” Gobi said.

He had demanded for the police to probe the Umno leader under Section 298 of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred, ill will or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.