U.S. reminded Alvin Tan not to raise religious issues - IGP says to 'wait' for blogger's return

SHAH ALAM - “We just wait for him to come back. Even Hishammuddin Rais came back.”

This was the answer given by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar when asked about controversial blogger Alvin Tan, currently seeking asylum in the United States.

Answering questions with Twitter users at the Santai Dengan IGP casual gathering here today, Khalid said the U.S. had given a positive response with regards to Tan, particularly because Tan had been raising issues pertaining to religion.

“US gave a positive response. They have not arrested him. But they reminded him not to bring up religious issues.”

Tan, who became infamous for blogging about his sex life, fled to the U.S. in May last year after being charged for sedition after uploading a Facebook post, which many deemed offensive to Muslims.

Tan’s case was still being tried when he absconded.

The nation’s top cop added that what could be done was to wait for the blogger to come home, pointing out that eventually even exiled activist Hishammuddin Rais came home.

The event today was organised by Yayasan Pengaman Malaysia and held at the Pine 38 restaurant in Section 9 here.

It saw 45 Twitter users engaging with the nation’s top cop, asking questions ranging from illegal gambling to Khalid’s engagement with the public via the social network.

Also present were Pengaman chairman and former IGP Tan Sri Norian Mai and Selangor police chief Datuk Abdul Samah Mat.