A Penang-based NGO lodged a report urging the police to immediately probe the case.
Athi Shankar, FMT
A Malaysian working in Singapore was detained for allegedly showing an obscene gesture at the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah at the Bayan Lepas International Airport here yesterday.
The incident happened at about 12 noon when the Queen, who arrived here on a private visit, was leaving the airport in a car. The suspect allegedly showed his middle finger in the direction of the car.
The suspect has been identified as Leong Pei Koe, 29.
It is learnt that a member of the Queen’s bodyguards saw the alleged gesture and immediately detained Leong.
He was handed over to the airport police station before being taken to the south-west district police headquarters for further questioning.
Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi confirmed the arrest, saying the case was being investigated under Section 294 of the Penal Code for lewd activity in public.
Leong, who holds a science degree from a Scottish university, will be remanded until Feb 14 to assist in the investigation.
Initial police probe revealed that Leong has been working as a factory supervisor in Singapore and has a Singaporean Permanent Residence status.
He arrived in Penang late last week to join his family in Sungai Pinang for the Chinese New Year celebration.
However, he allegedly cut short his holiday and left in a hurry for the airport to catch a flight to Singapore yesterday after a quarrel with his father.
The Queen was earlier welcomed by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, his wife Betty Chew Gek Cheng, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Halim Hussain, and other officials.
Meanwhile, a Penang-based NGO, Pertubuhan Merong Wangsa Malaysia, has lodged a report urging the police to immediately probe the case.
Association president Azhar Abdul Majid lodged the report at Balik Pulau police station at 12.40pm today.
Azhar told a press conference in Teluk Kumbar that the incident was unpleasant and should not have happened in a multi-racial country like Malaysia.
“Such incidents can cause racial tensions. It should be avoided at all costs,” he said, calling on the police to charge the suspect in accordance with the law.
“We want him to be fittingly punished,” he said.
Meanwhile, Leong has now emerged as a pin-up hate figure on social network, the Facebook.
He is being criticised roundly for allegedly showing the obscene gesture.
Leong is said to be a DAP supporter and some critics suggested that he should be banished from the country.
