Besides Waytha, cops to probe Zahid and 7 others for ‘racial statements’

Deputy IGP Noor Rashid Ibrahim says police uphold the right to freedom of expression but that right must be exercised responsibly and in accordance with the law.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are to call up several others besides Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P Waytha Moorthy to assist in investigations into statements touching on racial and religious sensitivities on social media.

The others include Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi; Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) president Azwanddin Hamzah; Tanah Rata state assemblyman Chiong Yoke Kong; Tras state assemblyman Chow Yu Hui; Gabungan 3 chairman Ragvinder Singh and deputy chairman Amran Ahmad Nor; and bloggers Lau Shan Thean and Muhamad Edi Mohamad Riyas (Edi Rejang), Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said today.

He said police took a serious view of statements touching on racial and religious sensitivities which can cause anxiety in the people.

“If the issue is not controlled and properly managed, it will lead to a situation that can jeopardise public order and national security,” he said at a press conference at Bukit Aman here.

Rashid said police had received more than 160 reports throughout the country and have opened investigation papers under Sections 504, 505 and 506 of the Penal Code.

He said police uphold the right to freedom of expression but that right must be exercised responsibly and in accordance with the law.

“Police will not hesitate to take the appropriate action to maintain public order and national security,” he said.

Asked why police were calling up Zahid, Rashid said they had received reports linking him to statements touching on racial and religious sensitivities.

“So, police have to get an explanation from him,” he said. - FMT