Ex-DAP leader 'Superman' Hew arrested (Updated)

GEORGE TOWN: Former DAP grassroot leader Hew Kuan Yau, who is popularly known as “Superman” was detained by police this afternoon.

He was picked up by policemen at his office at the Asia Comic Cultural Museum in Komtar at about 1.20pm.

Museum manager Raymond Chong said three policemen detained Hew, the museum curator, at his office and took him to the Northeast district police headquarters at Jalan Patani.

He said the arrest was believed to have been made regarding a Facebook post on the film Beauty and the Beast.

“He will be taken to the Johor Jaya police district headquarters as the police report was lodged there,” he said when contacted.

The widely circulated post allegedly contained insensitive remarks made against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

His lawyer, RSN Rayer, said Hew was detained over a Facebook posting but did not elaborate when met outside the district headquarters.

He said Hew will be taken to Johor Bahru where a remand order will be sought against him.

“No bail is allowed,” he said, adding the case was being investigated under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Penang police chief Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye confirmed Hew was arrested when contacted by the media.

Hew gained the “Superman” moniker as he is often seen in public with shirts bearing the logo of the popular comic book hero.

He is infamous for his fiery ceramah speeches and was accused of racism over remarks he made during the Sarawak state elections.

Hew resigned from the DAP in July after his comments regarding China and the South China Sea drew criticism.