Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said the force knows best under which law to probe intruders who forcefully entered the Penang legislative assembly on Wednesday.
“What law you expect us to investigate them with? What section you want us to arrest them with?
“We are already probing them under three sections - 147, 427 and 448 - of the Penal Code for rioting, committing mischief and trespassing,” Khalid said in a press conference in Penang today.
“Don’t think we are not serious as the act was serious,” he continued.
“You want us to investigate under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act or Sosma?”
Sosma is a 2012 Act which is supposed to replace the draconian 1960 Internal Security Act which has been abolished.
Several individuals who were arrested under Sosma in 2013 were allegedly linked to terrorist activities.
Khalid was responding to a query by a reporter who said there were criticisms that the police could have used a more severe section to probe the intruders.
This was related to the unprecedented incident on Wednesday when 12 persons including members of Umno and Perkasa barged forcefully into the state assembly looking for DAP Seri Delima rep RSN Rayer.
They wanted to take Rayer for task for uttering the word “celaka” directed at three Umno leaders, which they deem an insult to Malays and Muslims.
Police had nabbed the 12 for trespassing and mischief but released them at dawn yesterday.
The reporter was referring to a statement yesterday by PKR Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao Leung (right), who is also a lawyer, that the police should have probed the intruders under Section 124B of the Penal Code for carrying out an activity which is “detrimental” to parliamentary democracy.
The punishment for this charge, Gooi added, carried a maximum penalty of 20 years’ jail term.
“They can also be charged under Section 124 of the Penal Code for the attempt to assault or criminally intimidate a state assemblyperson, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years prison time,” Gooi stressed.
Khalid replied: “In this case, we (police) knows best which section to investigate. If the lawyer thinks he knows best, let’s see what happens in court.”
Khalid said the force was prepared for any eventualities that might happen during the Bukit Gelugor by-election campaign, which begun on May 12, and is to end this Sunday, polling day.
However, he advised all quarters to “think two or three times of the consequences” before issuing any statement or speech as it may undermine the peace and security of the state.
He said Penang chief police officer Abdul Rahim Hanafi had already held discussions with all quarters involved in the state assembly intrusion incident.
‘Peace and order will return soon’
“Since it is our responsibility, we will ensure that peace and order will return soon,” Khalid said.
“Several investigation papers have already been opened to probe the incident. Twelve people were arrested and more than 25 statements from Penang alone have been taken,” he added.
On criticisms by Pakatan Rakyat leaders during the Bukit Gelugor ceramah route that police did not do enough to stop the intrusion at the state assembly, Khalid shot back, “Since when have we not been slammed by the opposition?”
“Slamming the police is their hobby,” he quipped.
“The most important thing is that we took action on the 12. Don't ask how and why we did it,” he said.
“Perhaps we did not do it earlier (during the incident) as the situation was tense and we had to keep things under control,” he explained.
On election offences related to the Bukit Gelugor by-election campaign, Khalid said the police received not more than 15 reports on minor offences, and are probing four.
“There is nothing to worry about as the by-election campaign has been mostly peaceful and orderly, without much problems,” Khalid said.
“We have enough manpower to see that everything is in order and we are not deploying any additional men from outside Penang (other states),” he added.
“What law you expect us to investigate them with? What section you want us to arrest them with?
“We are already probing them under three sections - 147, 427 and 448 - of the Penal Code for rioting, committing mischief and trespassing,” Khalid said in a press conference in Penang today.
“Don’t think we are not serious as the act was serious,” he continued.
“You want us to investigate under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act or Sosma?”
Sosma is a 2012 Act which is supposed to replace the draconian 1960 Internal Security Act which has been abolished.Several individuals who were arrested under Sosma in 2013 were allegedly linked to terrorist activities.
Khalid was responding to a query by a reporter who said there were criticisms that the police could have used a more severe section to probe the intruders.
This was related to the unprecedented incident on Wednesday when 12 persons including members of Umno and Perkasa barged forcefully into the state assembly looking for DAP Seri Delima rep RSN Rayer.
They wanted to take Rayer for task for uttering the word “celaka” directed at three Umno leaders, which they deem an insult to Malays and Muslims.
Police had nabbed the 12 for trespassing and mischief but released them at dawn yesterday.
The reporter was referring to a statement yesterday by PKR Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao Leung (right), who is also a lawyer, that the police should have probed the intruders under Section 124B of the Penal Code for carrying out an activity which is “detrimental” to parliamentary democracy.The punishment for this charge, Gooi added, carried a maximum penalty of 20 years’ jail term.
“They can also be charged under Section 124 of the Penal Code for the attempt to assault or criminally intimidate a state assemblyperson, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years prison time,” Gooi stressed.
Khalid replied: “In this case, we (police) knows best which section to investigate. If the lawyer thinks he knows best, let’s see what happens in court.”
Khalid said the force was prepared for any eventualities that might happen during the Bukit Gelugor by-election campaign, which begun on May 12, and is to end this Sunday, polling day.
However, he advised all quarters to “think two or three times of the consequences” before issuing any statement or speech as it may undermine the peace and security of the state.
He said Penang chief police officer Abdul Rahim Hanafi had already held discussions with all quarters involved in the state assembly intrusion incident.
‘Peace and order will return soon’
“Since it is our responsibility, we will ensure that peace and order will return soon,” Khalid said.
“Several investigation papers have already been opened to probe the incident. Twelve people were arrested and more than 25 statements from Penang alone have been taken,” he added.
On criticisms by Pakatan Rakyat leaders during the Bukit Gelugor ceramah route that police did not do enough to stop the intrusion at the state assembly, Khalid shot back, “Since when have we not been slammed by the opposition?”
“Slamming the police is their hobby,” he quipped.
“The most important thing is that we took action on the 12. Don't ask how and why we did it,” he said.
“Perhaps we did not do it earlier (during the incident) as the situation was tense and we had to keep things under control,” he explained.
On election offences related to the Bukit Gelugor by-election campaign, Khalid said the police received not more than 15 reports on minor offences, and are probing four.
“There is nothing to worry about as the by-election campaign has been mostly peaceful and orderly, without much problems,” Khalid said.
“We have enough manpower to see that everything is in order and we are not deploying any additional men from outside Penang (other states),” he added.
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