KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said enforcement agencies under his ministry will not think twice about taking action against all those who undermine the country’s peace and public order.
In a heavily worded statement, he said that he would like to remind everyone of this stand, including “non-citizens”, a direct reference to controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik.
“All parties have to cease making presumptuous statements. They should instead wait for full reports from the authorities before making comments about any incident. This is to avoid making allegations that are baseless or slanderous.”
Muhyiddin was drawing attention to the spread of fake news and statements that fan racism, of late.
This, he said, was done without taking into account the sensitivity of Malaysians in the nation’s multiracial landscape.
He said police would be calling Chinese educationist group Dong Zong, businessman Tan Sri Koon Yew Yin and Zakir to record their statements.
This follows the statements they have made in public and on social media over the past few weeks that have led to police reports being lodged.
“Other individuals have also been questioned and there are also those being monitored by the police. Among others, we will also prosecute them under Section 594 of the Penal Code (for making intentional insults to provoke a breach of peace) if they is sufficient evidence.”
Muhyiddin said police, together with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, would also monitor statements being made on social media.
“As such social media users are reminded to always use the platform conscientiously.”
Muhyiddin also called on anyone with information on statements and comments that are slanderous, racist or seditious to lodge police reports by sending screen grabs to the police.
“Malaysia is a multiracial country with various races and religions. All people residing in the country should respect and celebrate diversity in the country.”
Those who would like to lodge a report can do so on their official Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube channels.
Zakir is being investigated for statements against Malaysian Hindus and Chinese, while Dong Zong is being probed for statements against the introduction of khat in schools in which it said it was “subtle Islamisation”.
Meanwhile, Koon is said to be in trouble over a statement disparaging the armed forces.