The police will be thorough in their investigation of a statement by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in a video clip that is alleged to be defamatory, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said that if the police found that Kok had breached the law and the attorney-general was convinced that there was sufficient evidence against her, then the case would be brought to court.
"But if there is no breach of the law, then the AG will say no further action.
"Then nobody should say the police and the AG are weak because if the case goes to court and is thrown out, then the AG and the police will look foolish," he told reporters after members of the Sarawak Amateur Radio Emergency Services (SARES) called on him at his office, here, today.
Kok had claimed that the video, Onederful Malaysia CNY2014, uploaded onto the social media on Jan 27 was a satirical one and that it did not insult anyone.
Federal Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Seri Salleh Mat Rashid had said that the police would look into the alleged defamatory video clip.
Wan Junaidi said MPs had a certain amount of privilege when speaking in parliament, but had to observe their limitations when saying anything outside the august house.-- BERNAMA
CONTROVERSIAL: MP alleged to have insulted PM, Malay community and security forces
KUANTAN: POLICE yesterday said they will look into the controversial video clip in which Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok is said to have insulted the prime minister, the nation's security forces and the Malay community.
Federal Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Seri Salleh Mat Rashid said yesterday those who triggered controversy by touching on elements that could stir racial tension would be investigated and could face the consequences of their actions.
He said the public were allowed to speak their minds but they should be careful when voicing opinions and refrain from matters that contained incitement and slander.
"Sometimes, people tend to speak and they are unaware of what they voice out and the safety implications. They should avoid speaking on issues that have sensitive elements.
"When everyone wants to live in a peaceful country, why play up sensitive issues that cause anger among the people?
"It is best for people to stay away from provoking each other with unnecessary issues," Salleh said after monitoring Op Selamat operations in Jalan Kuantan-Gambang here yesterday.
Several police reports were lodged against the DAP vice-chairman on Saturday and yesterday over the video clip, a Chinese New Year greeting titled "Onederful Malaysia" in which she and several people parody a talk show.
Leading the criticism yesterday was Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal in Kota Kinabalu, who said the video was in bad taste.
The MP for Semporna took offence to what he said was Kok's "tainting" of the Lahad Datu incident last year when security forces battled Sulu gunmen, losing 10 policemen and soldiers.
"I regret what is being spread by Teresa Kok. Malaysians, especially those in Sabah, have a deep connection to this incident.
"Let's not forget the sacrifices of the police and security forces from Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula. Security in our country is a very important matter, so don't make a joke out of this," he said at the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chinese New Year open house.
Kok, however, defended the video clip, saying it was merely a political satire.
"We wanted to usher in the New Year with humour and fun. The video was made for my audience among the Chinese community who speak Mandarin and Cantonese."
She denied insulting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying she did not mention him by name. "This is not true. I did not mention any names in the video. I never ran down or mentioned the prime minister's name or his wife or the Malay community. It is open to the viewers to interpret the video."
Several quarters had also been up in arms over what they said was Kok's mocking of the prime minister, the Malay community and the country's leadership.
In Putrajaya yesterday, several non-governmental organisations cried foul over the video.
Jaringan Kaseh Ixora chairman Zarina Ismail, who represented the group, said the video had raised racial sentiments and mocked the country's leadership. "It appears as though Kok wanted to fuel ethnic issues through the video."
She said the NGOs, which included the Putrajaya chapter of the Federation of Malay Students (GPMS), urged the Home Ministry to take stern action against the politician.
They later lodged a report at the Putrajaya police headquarters.
Among other things Kok was said to have belittled were the country's tourism and education system. Additional reporting by Kristy Inus and A. Azim Idris
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