KUALA LUMPUR: Police have confirmed that a statement, which went viral on social media, on the prohibition of the use of loudspeakers for 'azan; (Muslim call to prayer) was not issued in Malaysia, but in Pune, India.
Federal Criminal Investigations Department director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said the order was made by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray and was reported by a portal, The New Indian Express, on April 17.
He said Thackeray also ordered the removal of all loudspeakers from the mosques before May 3 and threatened to play the "Hanuman Chalisa" (Hindu devotional hymn) on loudspeakers of mosques that did not comply with the order.
The police were also investigating the owner of a TikTok account identified as 'Syierabahari for the provocative comment that could threaten peace and racial harmony in the country," he said in a statement today.
He said the probe was conducted under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code for issuing a statement with the intent of inciting certain group or race and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, for improper use of network facilities or network services.
Abd Jalil advised the public against speculating on the issue that could affect the investigation and to be careful on issues that affect religious and racial sensitivities.
"The police will not compromise and will take strict action against any individual who deliberately threatens public order and safety," he said.– Bernama