Police have once again reminded individuals, especially politicians, to avoid touching on race, religion, and the royalty, as six Malaysian states ramp up for the polls in August.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, said using inflammatory and defamatory words regarding race, religion, and the Malay royal institution, widely referred to as the ‘3Rs’, “should not happen”.
“Don’t raise the 3R issues,” Razarudin reminded the public during a press conference this evening.
“It will threaten security at the polling areas.”
The warning comes barely a week after the newly-minted police chief warned that those who touched on these “sensitive subjects” would be probed.
Six states – Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, and Terengganu – head for polls on Aug 12.
Earlier in the press conference, Razarudin revealed that police have established a task force, comprising 21 officers, who will investigate cases involving the 3Rs.
“Issues involving the 3Rs are often raised when it’s close to the polls. From March 27, we have investigated 61 cases, including that involving Kedah Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.”
Earlier today, several PKR members lodged a police report against Muhammad Sanusi for allegedly insulting the Sultan of Selangor, at a ceramah recently.
Last month, reports were lodged against Muhammad Sanusi over his alleged claims that Penang is purportedly owned by Kedah.
Razarudin said some of the investigations into the 3R-related cases, including those involving politicians and former politicians, have been completed and had been sent to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
He added that among those who had been hauled up included Pas president, Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, DAP secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng, and former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
