Malaysia Sikhs lodge report against offensive online comment

Police are investigating reports lodged by members of Malaysia's Sikh community against a Facebook user for posting an offensive comment against the founder of the faith, Guru Nanak, a media report said Saturday.

Lawyer Gurmukh Singh, who lodged the report in Dang Wangi area, said the comment was written in bad taste and was disrespectful to Guru Nanak, The Malaysian Star reported.

He said the Facebook user, in the comment, made an offensive remark about Guru Nanak's hair and turban, which was a symbol of pride and dignity to the Sikh community.

In Ipoh, the Malaysia National Sikhs Movement (Geraksikh) also lodged a similar police report.

Geraksikh secretary general Amarjit Singh Gill, who led a group of Sikhs to lodge the report Friday, said such an act was shocking in this day and time.

"Malaysia is a peaceful, harmonious country. We have grown to respect one another for so many years and it is shocking that you still get individuals making such derogatory and insulting remarks," he said.

According to reports, around 230,000 Sikhs reside in Malaysia.

There are 119 gurdwaras in Malaysia, 42 of them in Perak state, where the majority of the Sikhs live.