Stern action against ‘3R’ instigators

Zero tolerance for those out to challenge laws, says PM after Sabah police haul up Umno Youth chief

GEORGE TOWN: The government will not tolerate those who challenge the country’s laws and institutions, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said it must be known that the government would not hesitate to act against those inciting the country over the ‘Allah’ socks controversy and related ma ers.

“I don’t care what position you are in or what party you are in, so do not dispute us if stern action is taken, especially if it touches on 3R,” he told reporters a er a ending a briefing on Penang’s development with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in Komtar yesterday.

I don’t care what position you are in or what party you are in, so do not dispute us if stern action is taken, especially if it touches on 3R.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar was asked to comment on Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh claiming that he was arrested in Sabah earlier yesterday.

The PM disputed this, and said the Umno Youth chief was only called in for questioning rather than arrested.

Dr Akmal has been leading boyco calls against local convenience store chain KK Super Mart, over the sale of socks with the word ‘Allah’ embroidered on them.

Anwar said it was important for the people to understand that issues such as the socks controversy were serious for the Muslims.

“These issues, we investigate, arrest and charge; it is straightforward,” he said.

“But don’t use these issues or any other issues to instigate others, that is important.”

He said there would be zero tolerance for those creating unrest on grounds of race, religion, and royalty — the socalled ‘3R’ topics.

“We must defend the country’s institutions and the principles of the constitution, this includes the rights of the Muslims and non-Muslims,” he said.

Yesterday morning, Dr Akmal was hauled up by Sabah police upon arriving in Kota Kinabalu, and was released a er he had given his statement.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razaruddin Husain said the police were acting on two police reports made relating to Dr Akmal’s speeches and actions, linked to the socks.

He said Dr Akmal was being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1958 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998.

“He has been investigated and the investigation papers will be sent to the A orney General’s Chambers (AGC) a er all the steps to complete the investigation are done,” Razaruddin said in a Malay Mail report.

The IGP advised the public to not bring up issues relating to the ‘Allah’ socks fiasco, as those involved in the ma er had already been charged in court.

KUCHING: Sarawak will only ban Umno Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh from entering the state if he comes to create disharmony, says Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said Sarawak would not ban Akmal for dissenting opinions.

“You see, almost everybody gives dissenting views. But if we ban them just because their dissenting views make Sarawakians feel uncomfortable, at the end of the day, no one will come to Sarawak,” Abdul Karim told a press conference here yesterday.

“But of course if they were to come down here to cause incitement or create disharmony, then I think they deserve to be banned.

“Whether you are politicians or religious preachers, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims, it’s the same because the state has got the right to make sure that racial harmony and religious harmony that we are enjoying in the state is being preserved.”

Abdul Karim was commenting on a call by Sarawak and Sabah activists for Akmal and four others to be barred from both Bornean states for allegedly contributing to the escalation of racial and religious tensions in the country. The others are controversial preachers Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, Shakir Nasoha, and Firdaus Wong.

Abdul Karim noted while Akmal’s views might not augur well with Sarawakians, the Federal Constitution allowed freedom of expression within limits.

“You must not cross the boundary and encroach into other groups. That’s where the sedition law should come in,” he said.

Abdul Karim said allowing or prohibiting people from entering the state must be based on rational, not emotional, factors.

He said activist Peter John Jaban, who made the call for a ban on Dr Akmal, should reflect on his own actions.

“When he was with Sarawak radio based in the United Kingdom, he criticised us a lot. But then, should we ban him from coming back to the city?

“Sometimes we feel we should also ban him because he has been creating a lot of disharmony among us, despite being the one who has been advocating asking these people to be banned, that people to be banned,” Abdul Karim said.

Yesterday morning, Akmal was hauled up by Sabah police upon arriving in Kota Kinabalu and was released after he had given his statement.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razaruddin Husain said the police were acting on two police reports made relating to Akmal’s speeches and actions, linked to the socks controversy.

It is stated that Akmal is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1958 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998.