Lim Guan Eng claims statement was twisted

SHAH ALAM - DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng denies releasing a statement claiming the 'green wave' will destroy temples and deny religious rights in Penang.

The former finance minister said his speech in Mandarin was twisted and that some parties wanted to destroy Buddhist or Chinese temples.

"I’m disappointed that some parties are irresponsible, simply twisting the speech and imagining religious and racial sentiments.

"Using the 3R issues of religion, race, and royalty to garner votes was never in my thoughts.

"This is because I believe it will only harm the harmony of the multi-racial and religious community in the country," he said in a Facebook post on Saturday.

Lim hoped all parties would uphold the supremacy of the Constitution, which clearly states Islam as the official religion.

"Those worshipping other religions are free to practise their faith safely and peacefully in any state in the federation," he said.

A local news portal had quoted a Mandarin-based article reporting Lim warned Penang voters to stop the green wave from stepping foot in the state.

He claimed it would cause the Buddhist temple to be destroyed and that non-Muslims would face a multitude of restrictions.