GEORGE TOWN: The owners of Xiang Ge Li La Authentic Hunan Restaurant, which courted controversy after news of their two outlets being adorned with wallpaper bearing elements of Communism and a Communist leader went viral, have no intention to portray elements of Communism as claimed by various quarters.
According to their lawyer, Dev Kumaraendran, it was never his clients' intention to portray any element of Communism using the wallpaper.
"It cannot be that (intention to portray elements of Communism). That is the accepted views of my clients obviously.
"But whether or not it leads to that, or the perception of the police, it is up to the police probe," he said when accompanying his clients to have their statements recorded at the northeast district police headquarters here this afternoon.
The 41-year-old local man and his Chinese national wife are expected to spend about four hours to have their statements recorded by the investigation officer (IO) here for their restaurant in Pulau Tikus and the IO from the Seberang Prai Tengah district police headquarters for their restaurant in Icon City, Bukit Mertajam.
Dev said the restaurant in Pulau Tikus had been in business for the past four years and the one in Icon City, for two years, using the same wallpaper from the very beginning.
"There has been no hassle, no problem all this while. No one asked them to remove the wallpaper during these said durations," he added.
Dev said his clients could not have their statements recorded earlier as they had just completed Covid-19 quarantine since Dec 31.
"Their quarantine finished this morning and both of them tested negative. This is why they are here (at the police station) now, as soon as they could do so. They couldn't come earlier when everything blew up in the press.
"They are here to give their statements today and will cooperate with police. If need be, they are prepared to be called again," he said, adding that despite being in quarantine, his clients had been in contact with the IOs for the last 10 days and kept them informed of their development.
Asked if his clients would be detained, Dev replied in the negative, but added anything could change as the probe progresses.
On claims by various quarters, including non-governmental organisations, that the wallpaper was merely an art form and not otherwise as claimed by some, Dev replied: "My clients will be helping the police today.
"And as you all know, many of the views are negative. The majority feel that the wallpaper is not what it is supposed to be. My clients will help the police on that."
It was reported earlier this month that police were probing a restaurateur for decorating two of his outlets with wallpaper bearing elements of Communism and a Communist leader.
State Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Rahimi Ra'ais had said that the investigation was initiated after police received information from the public about the matter.
The case was probed under Section 47 of the Societies Act 1966 for publishing propaganda of an unlawful society.
The case was also being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for making, publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public.