Cops: Articles on SJKC not seditious, but titles can cause 'alarm'

 

Two newspaper articles claiming that Chinese vernacular school students were not keen to learn Bahasa Malaysia were not seditious or had caused anger among any ethnic groups, a police probe found.

However, the titles of the article could lead to negative perceptions that can cause “kegusaran” (public alarm), said Sentul district police chief Beh Eng Lai.

"However, the contents of the article did not contain any seditious statements nor did it cause anger among any groups.

"The Kuala Lumpur police urge the public not to write or spread any statements that can lead to public fear, which can threaten inter-ethnic harmony," said Beh (above) in a statement last night.

He said investigations were conducted under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code (statements conducing to public mischief) and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (statements that are false, obscene and indecent).

The statement does not indicate that the police applied the Sedition Act 1948 - a law which Pakatan Harapan had pledged to either repeal or amend.

The two articles in question were titled "Murid SJKC tak minat subjek Bahasa Melayu?" published by Berita Harian, while the other was titled SJKC Pupils Not Keen to Learn BM" by New Straits Times.

The articles were published on Jan 18, by the same author. Both news organisations are owned by New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd - which is part of the Media Prima Group.

Malaysian Chinese Language Council (MCLC) filed a police report on Jan 21, claiming the articles were seditious.

During a press conference on Jan 31, MCLC contended that the articles were in violation of Section 3(1)(e) of the Sedition Act 1948 (an act that has the tendency to promote feelings of ill will and hostility or hatred between different races) and Section 124I of the Penal Code (dissemination of false reports).

They argued that the author only cited two teachers who aired their grievances.

The council also noted that the article cited two persons with the same names as key characters in the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". - Mkini