Police deny dragging their feet in approving a religious procession in Seberang Prai

GEORGE TOWN: Police have refuted claims that they have deliberately delayed the approval for a religious procession at South Seberang Prai as alleged by a Seberang Prai City councillor recently.

State police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said police have given a conditional approval for the procession to be conducted by the Hindu community in the district.

"Instead of rejecting the permit application, we approved it but with conditions after taking into consideration local community feedback in relation to the sensitivity, and safety of the devotees," he said during a press conference at the state police headquarters here Monday (May 8).

Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the conditional approval was given to protect public order and well-being in the area.

Last Thursday (May 4), Central Seberang Prai OCPD Supt Lee Chong Chern lodged a report against MBSP councilor David Marshel for alleged defamation.

Lee said police have opened an investigation paper under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act in response to Marshel's social media post.

In his post, Marshel claimed that Lee had lodged a report against Facebook user David Marshel for alleged defamation.

Marshel said on social media that several temple applications were rejected on unreasonable grounds, thus affecting the rights of Hindus who want to hold religious ceremonies.

The case was being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.