KUALA LUMPUR: "All parties should stand down."
This was the strong warning issued by Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, who wants everyone – including politicians – to stop playing around with sensitive issues related to the 3R (race, religion, and royalty).
The Federal Police Criminal Investigation Department director said the police will open investigation papers on every report related to 3R cases.
"It doesn't matter if the report is against the government (parliamentarians) or otherwise. We have been consistent about opening investigation papers; we have both investigation papers on the government parliamentarians and the opposition.
"We will investigate all," he told a press conference at Bukit Aman today.
The issue of socks bearing the word "Allah" displayed at a KK Mart outlet recently sparked public outrage.
A branch of the convenience store in Perak was also the target of what is believed to be a Molotov cocktail attack yesterday.
Shuhaily said the police will enhance their investigations to detect any attempts to worsen the situation. He also warned people against spreading old issues.
"I would like to take this opportunity to advise everyone, please stand down. Do not escalate this. Enough is enough.
"I have to give it to KJ (Khairy Jamaluddin) who spoke about this (asking politicians to stand down) in his podcast yesterday. I think that is the question. How far do we want to push this? (in relation to the KK Mart stockings controversy).
"Our side is quite concerned if there are incidents that do not involve racial issues, but involve two different groups that could fuel the issue.
"We don't want to see another Kampung Medan or any other racial incidences in this country because that will only worsen the state of the country and tarnish its image."
Shuhaily said those involved in the KK Mart controversy have been charged yesterday, and the public should let the justice system work.
""Let (them) go through the existing justice system.
"How we handle sensitive issues in this country will show the maturity of our people .
"We used to have preventive laws (Internal Security Act), and that was repealed because it reflects the maturity of society in discussing such sensitive matters. So today, we are tested on our maturity in handling such issues," he said, adding the police, with whatever power they have, will investigate all 3R cases.
Yesterday five people were charged in relation to the KK Mart stockings controversy.
Among them were KK Mart Group founder and executive chairman Datuk Chai Kee Kan and his wife Datin Loh Siew Mui, who both pleaded not guilty at the Shah Alam Sessions Court here with intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims by displaying socks bearing the word "Allah" at its Bandar Sunway outlet.
Shuhaily also warned any individuals against taking matters into their own hands.
"Taking matters into one's own hands will only harm oneself because remember, all crimes, when charged and convicted, the record will remain.
"I'm not trying to make you scared, but that will affect everyone's job prospects later on," he said.