MELAKA: Four police reports have been lodged over the unfurling of canvas banners that reportedly smeared the reputations of two local assemblymen.

       Melaka CID Chief Asst Comm Azlan Abu said two reports were lodged at Melaka Tengah and two more at Jasin, all on Tuesday (Oct 12).

       “The reports are being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 13).

       The Section states that whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause, or likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, could face imprisonment for up to two years, or fine, or both, if found guilty.

       ACP Azlan said the banners have since been removed by Hang Tuah Jaya and Jasin Municipal Council staff.

       On Tuesday, it was reported that the banners were found unfurled at several locations at Melaka Tengah and Jasin district, asking locals to reject two local politicians.

       The wordings on the banners urged locals to reject two "traitors" in the recent plot to oust Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali and his administration.

       The names of Melaka DAP chief Datuk Tey Kok Kiew and Sungai Udang assemblyman Datuk Seri Idris Haron were explicitly written below their pictures.

       Tey is also the assemblyman for Bandar Hilir.

       On last Monday (Oct 4), Idris and three other state assemblymen declared that they have lost confidence in the leadership of Sulaiman.

       The three others are Pantai Kundor assemblyman Datuk Nor Azman Hassan, Telok Mas assemblyman Noor Effandi Ahmad and Independent lawmaker Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee.