No need to overreact in probing Nizar, police told

The zeal with which the police have been conducting the investigation on former Perak Menteri Besar Nizar Jamaluddin has been criticised by PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, who said there was no need for such an overdrive.

Reacting to the confiscation of Nizar’s computer and mobile phone yesterday, Mat Sabu (pic) reminded the police to watch their own act.

“We have no objection if the police want to carry out their duty rationally according to the laws, whether under Sedition Act or whatever. But don’t go overboard to the extent of confiscating handphone and computer,” he said.

Nizar, the Bukit Gantang member of parliament is being investigated for sedition for airing his opinion on the recent purchase of a car registration number by the Sultan of Johor at the dizzying price of half-a-million ringgit.

He said the RM520,000 ringgit paid for the number 'WWW1' would have been better used to help the poor in the state.

But Mat Sabu described's Nizar’s comments, which drew strong reaction from the Johor palace as well as the police, as a general statement made in public.

“The statement is made in a social website which can be seen by anyone. He did not say it in a private video conferencing or underground cyber forum, he was just making a constructive criticism. So what does the police hope to discover from his phone and computer?” asked Mat Sabu.

Yesterday, Nizar told Harakahdaily that the police dropped by at three separate places, namely his state constituency service centre in Pasir Panjang, Perak, his residence in Sungai Rokam and at his hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

In addition, Nizar's office at the state PAS headquarters in Ipoh and his parliamentary service centre in Taiping were also checked by the police.

Mat Sabu said the police’s action only fueled public anger.

“And they (people) will take revenge on UMNO,” he added.

Saying the party had no problem if Nizar was rapped by those offended by the tweet, Mat Sabu reminded that Nizar had already apologised.

-Harakahdaily