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GEORGE TOWN: A restaurant in Pulau Tikus was allowed to function as usual after a wallpaper with communist leader Mao Zedong was removed.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong (Photo) said the police would, however, take steps to close the facility if the owner decided to put up communist-themed wallpaper in the future.
“As of now, there are no instructions from the higher authorities to close the facilities.
“The case will be referred to the deputy prosecutor after the investigations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shafee Abd Samad, a communications assistant for Central Seberang Prai OCPD, said the case at Bukit Mertajam’s restaurant was still under investigation.
“The owner of the restaurant is still in Covid-19 quarantine.
“We are still investigating the case,” he said.
On Saturday (January 2), the police removed the wallpaper after raiding the premises in Bukit Mertajam following a public notice.
The 764.5cm x 213cm wallpaper featured an image of Mao, a soldier holding a red book, and a group of soldiers.
Police also seized four small glasses bearing Mao’s face and detained the 23-year-old restaurant manager for further investigation.
The restaurant owner’s Chinese wife explained that the posters featured humorous depictions of the good food available in China’s Henan Province.
The posters did not contain any messages of communist ideology, said the woman, who did not want to be named.
He said the wallpaper had fun Chinese phrases and was meant to welcome customers.
Currently, the restaurant owner is under Covid-19 quarantine.
The head of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SAC, Rahimi Ra’ais, said that similar wallpapers had been removed at both outlets in Bukit Mertajam and Pulau Tikus.
Police are investigating the motive for the communist-themed decorations.
The case is being investigated under Section 47 of the Companies Act for publishing propaganda of an illegal company and Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code for making, publishing or circulating any statement with the intention of causing, or that may cause, alarm. for the public.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the police should use their discretion before taking action against the restaurant owner.
He said police should be able to differentiate between what is communist propaganda and publicity stunts before acting.
“The restaurant owner’s explanation showed that the wallpaper was just decoration and should be treated as such,” Chow said after visiting the Kawan food distribution center here on Monday (Jan 4).
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