Police conduct investigation on daily’s front page on May 27

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have opened an investigation on the front page of The Star newspaper published on May 27 under the Sedition Act and Section 298A of the Penal Code.

Inspector- General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said they will summon those responsible to aid investigation into the headline, photograph and accompanying caption on the front page which hurt the feelings of Muslims.

“They (The Star) have to explain their motive for publishing the photograph and caption,” he told reporters after presenting Aidilfitri goodies to members of security forces here yesterday.

On May 27, The Star published a photograph and caption of Muslims performing taraweh prayers to mark the first day of Ramadan under the bold headline ‘ Malaysian Terrorist Leader’ on the front page.

The Star’s front page drew criticisms from various parties, notably Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGO), who deemed the headline and caption as insensitive to the feelings of the Muslim community.

On Monday, the Home Ministry summoned four editors of The Star to explain the headline, the photograph and the caption which suggested that Muslims were linked to terrorism.

Asked about the identity of two Malaysians killed in Marawi City, Mindanao, Khalid said police have yet to receive confirmation from their counterpart in the Philippines.

The two Malaysians were among the 13 militants killed in battle in southern Philippines. — Bernama