No political element in Fahmi’s speech at Rawang mosque, say cops

 

A complaint was lodged against communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil over a speech he made at a mosque in Rawang.

PETALING JAYA: The police have confirmed that communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil’s speech at a mosque in Rawang, Selangor, on Sunday was not about politics.

At a press conference, Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said Fahmi was only providing more information about the recent incident involving British band, The 1975, at the Good Vibes Festival.

The three-day event was abruptly cancelled on July 22 – the first night of the festival – after the band’s lead singer Matty Healy criticised Malaysia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) laws before kissing his male bandmate.

“We called eight witnesses, including the complainant, and those who were present when the speech was made,” said Hussein, according to Harian Metro.

Hussein said the police were tracing the whereabouts of the owner of the account that shared the 12-minute video for spreading false information, adding that action would also be taken against those who shared the video.

“If it’s the truth, it’s okay, but defamation is a criminal offence,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 4A (1) of the Election Offences Act 1954.

On Monday, the Selangor Islamic religious department (Jais) launched an investigation under the Selangor shariah criminal enactment for allegedly insulting religious authorities after receiving complaints about Fahmi’s speech.

The department had earlier instructed mosques and suraus to ban any form of political activities within their compounds.

The police then launched an investigation into Fahmi’s speech.

The New Straits Times reported that Fahmi is considering filing a defamation lawsuit against those who slandered him.

“I did not talk about political issues or anything regarding the state elections as I was only invited by the mosque congregants to speak about the banning of The 1975 band and the cancellation of the Good Vibes Festival,” he was quoted as saying. - FMT