Penang state assembly intruders probed for rioting, says top cop
The Malaysian Insider – 12 hours agoRELATED CONTENT
- Penang state assembly intruders probed for rioting, says top cop
Police are investigating those who barged into the Penang legislative assembly on Tuesday for rioting, committing mischief and trespassing, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said today.
He said police have detained 12 people and released them on police bail, and recorded 25 statements on the incident.
Khalid (pic) said several reports on the incident were received and investigations were ongoing under at least three sections – 147, 427 and 448 - of the Penal Code, for rioting, committing mischief and trespassing.
Rioting and committing mischief are both punishable with two years jail, fine or both while trespassing carries a punishment of one year in jail, fine or both.
The incident at the assembly building was sparked by Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer's 'Umno celaka' (Umno be damned) remark in the assembly.
A group of people who identified themselves as Umno Youth and members of other Malay groups protested outside the state assembly, before 10 of them slipped past the damaged gate and went into the House, a restricted area.
Khalid said people should be mindful of what they say.
"Before you speak, think two or three times. If you think what you say will not affect anyone, then go ahead and say it, otherwise, this is the consequence," he said during a working visit to Penang in conjunction with the Bukit Gelugor by-election.
On investigations into Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abdullah Rahman under the Sedition Act, Khalid said police have handed over the investigation papers to the Attorney-General's Chambers and made their recommendations.
“Wait for the A-G to decide,” he added, without revealing further details.
Abdullah recently called Malaysian Chinese “trespassers” and questioned their citizenship.
On reports lodged against the religiously-charged seminar at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam earlier this month, Khalid said the probe was ongoing.
"We are investigating if an offence was committed. We will sure investigate it... don't worry," he said.
The case is being investigated under Sections 298 and 298A of the Penal Code, for causing disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will on grounds of religion.
College lecturer Perzeus James and writer Uthaya Sankar Narayanana were among several people who lodged police reports against the seminar organises.
Speakers at the seminar had reportedly accused Christians of spreading their faith to Malay Muslims. Copies of a book published by the Selangor religious authorities on the threat of Christianisation and alleged evangelism were also distributed to more 1,000 students at the seminar. – May 23, 2014.
