'Guan Eng's remarks are totally wrong' - Khaliq

KEPALA BATAS – Perikatan Nasional (PN) Bertam candidate Khaliq Mehtab has slammed Pakatan Harapan's Air Putih candidate Lim Guan Eng for touching on racial sensitivities during a programme in Penang.

Lim, who is also DAP chairman, previously brushed off claims that he deliberately raised the 3R issue, namely race, religion, and royal institutions, when he allegedly made a remark on the destruction of temples during a programme in Jelutong, Penang.

Khaliq said that Lim's remarks were "totally wrong" and that he was trying to "stir up racial sentiment".

"If you’re talking about the 3R issues, this is not a new issue. In fact, we have been talking about it for many years, and now, it has become sensitive for certain reasons, and is mostly political.

"During this critical national time, if we are using these 3R issues to stir up racial sentiment, this is totally wrong," Khaliq said in an exclusive interview with Sinar Daily.

Khaliq further elaborated that Lim allegedly tried to "grow hatred amongst the Chinese towards Malays".

"His (Lim) remarks are very unprofessional and very sensitive," he added.

Khaliq said that he was disappointed that no action had been taken against Lim despite the fact that several reports had been made to the police.

"I hope the police will take action against Lim soon," he said.

On July 9, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Deputy Director (Forensics and Strategic Planning) Datuk G Suresh Kumar stated that they had previously received several reports regarding the statements made by Lim.

"We are investigating the matter and will take action if there is sufficient evidence," he reportedly said.