Several Bersatu and PAS members have lodged a police report against incumbent Kota Anggerik assemblyperson Mohd Najwan Halimi over his racist remark involving a PSM state polls candidate.
Despite Najwan's apology and PSM's forgiveness, Titiwangsa Bersatu secretary Thaqib Shaker emphasised the need for a police report to prevent a repeat of similar incidents.
“I hope things like this don't happen again… It has nothing to do with us, but on the basis of solidarity (with PSM) and on the basis of our hatred towards racism, the police report was necessary.
“I am very disappointed with Najwan’s remark because I know PSM is very active in doing work for the marginalised community. They go in and out of courts to help the Indian community, and also to help the Malay, Chinese, and other bumiputera groups,” he told reporters during a press conference in Shah Alam today.
Also present were Shah Alam Bersatu Youth chief Ahmad Azarul Mohamad Azmi and PAS’s non-Malay association special officer Low Lee Leong.
Thaqib said the report was made under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 as well as Section 499, 500 and 505 of the Penal Code and filed at the Shah Alam District Police Headquarters.
Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act concerns the utterance of seditious words that carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both for the first offence.
Sections 499 and 500 covers criminal defamation, whereas Section 505 is related to insults, provocation and statements that can cause public fear and break public peace.
Two days ago, a screenshot circulated on social media, where Najwan had remarked “Indian estate party” in response to news of PSM’s announcement that the party was fielding social activist Sivaranjani Manickam in Meru for the upcoming state election.
The PKR member apologised shortly after the screenshot went viral, admitting that his remark was inappropriate and invited misunderstanding.
Najwan added that he had contacted PSM secretary-general A Sivarajan - who first posted the screenshot - to apologise to the party.
Yesterday, PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari revealed that the PKR disciplinary board will decide on whether to take action against Najwan.
Taking accountability
Thaqib also drew a comparison between Najwan and Kedah caretaker menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who police are investigating for 3R (race, religion, royalty) sentiments.
Thaqib pointed to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said’s statement that Sanusi's apology did not exempt him from the investigation, and he argued that the same logic should be extended to Najwan.
“Azalina said that Sanusi would still have to undergo police investigation even though he has apologised. The same thing should be applied to Najwan.
“Especially on 3R issues, component members of the government, like (DAP chairperson) Lim Guan Eng have also made racist statements so I hope there will be follow-up actions on Lim as well as Najwan,” he added.
No issue with Hadi probe
Meanwhile, Thaqib said Perikatan Nasional had no issue with the police recording PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s statement over a probe on his alleged remarks touching on 3R.
He added that there will not be any compromises should Hadi be found guilty of his actions and reminded that this also applied to Bersatu members.
“If there are any Bersatu members who make racist remarks, we will take action.
“We will not tolerate any racist sentiments, especially during the coming state elections,” he stressed. - Mkini
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