PETALING JAYA: Police will investigate the forum on the Rome Statute, organised at Universiti Malaya on Saturday (April 27), under the Sedition Act, says Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
The IGP said several reports had been lodged over the forum and police would be calling in several people involved, including the organisers, to record their statements.
Mohamad Fuzi added that several police reports had also been lodged against PKR leader and former academician Prof Dr Syed Husin Ali over his remarks at the forum.
“We have received several reports and are investigating the matter. We will investigate under the Sedition Act and all other available laws,” he said after launching the new Brickfields police headquarters on Monday (April 29).
The NGO Sahabat Erat dan Amanat Rakyat (Sedar) lodged a police report at the Brickfields police station hours after the forum, claiming that Syed Husin had uttered words that evoked hatred against the Rulers during the discussion.
Sedar president Nazrin Norani filed the report.
“The statement (by Syed Husin) was followed by thunderous clapping from the audience at the forum and there was no reaction or statement to debunk that provocative statement from moderator Kamarul Bahrin Haron or Attorney General Tommy Thomas.
“Syed Husin had uttered those word to provoke others to go against the Malay Rulers,” Nazrin alleged in his report.
The forum on the Rome Statute was organised by civil society groups including Patriot, Sisters in Islam, G25, Abim and Gerak.
Apart from Tommy and Syed Husin, other panellists were UM constitutional law expert Emeritus Professor Datuk Shad Saleem Faruqi and former student activists Asheeq Ali Sethi Alavi and Lim Wei Jiat. – THE STAR
Umno Youth: Is AG going to prosecute himself in sedition case?
Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki welcomed the police’s decision to investigate a forum on the Rome Statute last Saturday under the Sedition Act 1948.
However, Asyraf questioned that when the probe has concluded, will the attorney-general, who participated in the forum, initiate the prosecution on himself.
“The question is, after the investigation papers are presented by the police to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, will the attorney-general prosecute himself?” he asked in a statement.
Asyraf said it would be better for Thomas (photo) to resign as attorney-general before he is sacked, noting that his tenure is at the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said police had commenced an investigation under the Sedition Act after receiving several police reports, adding that police will be summoning those involved in the forum, including the organisers.
The forum, organised by student activists, was also attended by academician-turned-politician Syed Husin Ali, G25 coordinator Noor Farida Ariffin, constitutional expert Shad Saleem Faruqi and lawyer Lim Wei Jiet.
The police reports have largely focussed on Syed Husin’s comments made during the forum, which they claim were critical of the monarchy.
Meanwhile, DAP’s Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said the sedition probe was regrettable, adding that the panellists were only there to debate the issue rationally and could not have had any intention to disturb the peace.
Ramkarpal, in a separate statement, also questioned if the police will be hauling up the attorney-general for questioning.
“Free speech is one of the most important of basic rights in any society and the continued use of the Sedition Act is a blatant disregard of that right, more so in a situation in which a healthy debate was held with reference to various sound sources of information such as the Federal Constitution and case laws.
“The government should be encouraging such debates and free speech instead of instilling fear by threatening the use of the Sedition Act on those who support or criticise the Rome Statute,” he said.
The lawmaker also reiterated his call for the government to abolish the Sedition Act. – MKINI
THE STAR / MKINI
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