Police are in talks with the Attorney-General’s Chambers to find effective legal mechanisms against rising race, religion and royalty issues online.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police are in discussions with the Attorney-General’s Chambers to identify the most effective legal mechanisms to address rising issues related to race, religion and the royal institution on social media.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the open nature of social media platforms resulted in certain parties making comments that sometimes went beyond the boundaries of the law.
“Issues related to racism, religion, incitement and the like have persisted,” he said after a community policing programme at Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves.
He added that the police would continue monitoring and take action against any attempt to cause public alarm through the manipulation of sensitive issues.
Mohd Khalid also shared developments on the case involving former Free Malaysia Today journalist Rex Tan.
He stated that the investigation paper would be submitted to the AGC soon, with statements from five witnesses recorded so far.
“Depending on the investigating unit, we may need additional witnesses for further action,” Mohd Khalid said.
Tan is being investigated over a controversial question he raised at a recent public forum involving a comparison between Palestine and the treatment of the Chinese community in Malaysia.
The IGP also revealed that two senior officers of a Chinese-language media organisation had been summoned by Bukit Aman to assist in an investigation.
The probe concerns an alleged inaccurate translation of a royal address by Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, published on Jan 19.
The investigation is being carried out under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
