Is TMJ being seditious? That's up to the police to decide - Azis

PARLIAMENT | Deputy Home Minister Mohd Azis Jamman said it is the police and not his ministry that would decide on whether to conduct investigations on seditious statements. 

He said this in response to a question today by Ismail Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau), who asked if Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim's recent remarks in social media could be considered an offence under the Sedition Act 1948, and whether Putrajaya is prepared to take action against the latter. 

"We at the ministry level, we leave it to the police to take action based on police reports, if there are any.

"I am not a lawyer, but the reality is, if there are police reports... we leave it to the wisdom of the police to determine this issue," he told the Dewan Rakyat during the question-and-answer session.

Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat that a lot of social media users are debating the recent back-and-forth between Tunku Ismail and some government leaders. 

"Can the words issued by (Tunku Ismail) be categorised as an offence under the Sedition Act, and is the government prepared to take action? 

"And what is the mechanism that will be used if the government is prepared to take action against the Johor crown prince?" asked Ismail.

Ismail added that the verbal sparring between Putrajaya and the Johor palace could rock the country's political stability, and damage the credibility of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 

The exchange began with the government's decision to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and carried over into Osman Sapian's resignation as the Johor menteri besar. 

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Eddin Syazlee Syith was also questioned about the lack of action against those who appear to be criticising Tunku Ismail on social media.

Zahidi Zainul Abidin (BN-Padang Besar) had asked about certain individuals – specifically Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman – purportedly encouraging criticism against the Johor crown prince.

"The claim that the Communication and Multimedia Commission has failed to take action is not accurate," Eddin said in reply. 

"Actually, the MCMC takes action through police investigation. We do not do 24-hour monitoring. 

"Action is taken after a police report is lodged, and completed with investigation papers." - Mkini