The police have started investigating a report lodged by DAP over a satirical picture that appeared on Umno Youth's official website.

The case's investigating officer, Inspector Mohd Kamil Abdul Jalil, from the Sitiawan police station in Perak confirmed this when contacted today.

He said an investigation has been initiated under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation but declined to elaborate.

It could not be ascertained if the police have recorded statements from anyone regarding this case.

The picture on the website contained the superimposed faces of opposition leaders on the cover of the book, Alias Chin Peng: My Side of History - the autobiography of the former Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) secretary-general, who now lives in exile in Thailand.

The faces which appeared were that of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, PAS leaders Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and Abdul Hadi Awang as well as DAP chairperson Karpal Singh and the party's international secretary Ronnie Liu.

The police report was lodged by Perak DAP chairperson Ngeh Koo Ham yesterday. He claimed that the picture implied the individuals were either communist or pro-communist.

Legal action

At a press conference in Petaling Jaya this afternoon, Ngeh said DAP lawyers want Umno Youth to be investigated under the Sedition Act.

"Umno Youth is trying to stir up public perception against the opposition and create hatred for the individuals (on the picture)," he added.

He said DAP's legal team was also considering the possibility of initiating legal action.

Speaking at the same press conference, Sitiawan state assemblyperson Nga Kor Ming (photo, right) also challenged Umno Youth leaders to a debate on the matter.

He said they should publicly apologise if they failed to prove that the individuals in the picture had communist leanings.

Adding to this, Ngeh said "anybody with any intellect can see the clear difference (between DAP and communism)".