GOMBAK: Police are monitoring online sites and posts written in various languages, and those who post racially charged comments will be arrested, warned Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
“We will not compromise. I don’t care what your race is. If you try to fan racial tension, we will take stern action against you.
“Many more will be arrested, including people who posted seditious ‘analyses’ of the brawl on social media.
“We will monitor posts in all languages. Don’t think that just because you post in Mandarin or Tamil we won’t be able to read it,” said Khalid yesterday.
On Sunday, several people, including three journalists, were injured in a mob attack after police dispersed protesters at the popular Low Yat Plaza.
Khalid also hit out at people who earlier defended those who took part in the weekend riot.
He criticised a lawyer representing one of the accused involved in the brawl, saying he was not a “smart lawyer” for accusing the police of lying about the case.
Khalid said those involved in the melee were now seen to be shrugging off their responsibility after being accused of wrongdoing.
On Tuesday, lawyer Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz accused the IGP of “lying” about the case, and claimed that his client was not present during the alleged theft at the mall.
Khalid said those in the wrong could say whatever they wanted, but it would not change facts.
“That is the problem, isn’t it? People who have been arrested can say whatever they want to take the blame off them.
“So if people want to believe the words of those who have been charged in court, go ahead!” said Khalid.
As for Khairul Azam’s criticism, Khalid said he was not a “smart lawyer”. “He has other motives, not good ones. A smart lawyer would not do this.
“I invite the media to come to the station to interview those we arrested. Of course, they will say they are innocent and the police are wrong,” he said.
Separately, Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department Director Datuk Muhammad Fuad Abu Zarim said new methods of dispersing information would be looked at after false rumours dominated social media leading to the violence near the mall.
“We say the right thing, but others want to believe something else and it is difficult to correct it afterwards. That is a challenge now,” he said.
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