The police have reportedly launched an investigation into a TV news presenter for allegedly slandering the force while on air.
According to Berita Harian today, the news presenter supposedly criticised the police over an incident in Kelantan where a burger seller was slapped with a RM50,000 compound for breaching Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani was quoted saying that the statement is not only slanderous but causes animosity from the public towards law enforcers, especially the police.
“This is because the police’s actions are based on existing laws for containing the Covid-19 pandemic,” he reportedly said.
Acryl, who will assume the post as the nation’s top cop on May 4, said the case is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code.
The provision criminalises insults that are intended to “provoke a breach of peace”.
The case is also being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for abuse of network facilities.
He reportedly urged those with grievances with law enforcement agencies to raise their complaints through proper channels.
The Berita Harian report does not mention what was said by the news presenter, and through what channel.
However, the report came after an Astro Awani presenter decried the RM50,000 compound as an “unthinkable” sum.
“While some have their brains to top, some act as though their brains are on their knees by imposing a RM50,000 compound on small traders who were merely doing business in their own villages,” the presenter remarked.
A 44-second clip of the remark has been widely circulated on social media platforms this week.
For the record, the incumbent Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador has defended his officers' actions of fining the burger seller, saying it was done in accordance with the law.
He dismissed allegations that police are insensitive towards the people and pointed out that the affected traders could appeal against the compound.
Previously, the burger seller Wan Mohd Faisal Wan Kadir, 38, was fined RM50,000 for operating his burger stall in Kota Bharu beyond the operating hours permitted under the movement control order. - Mkini
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