Kuala Lumpur, Jan 30 – Five investigation papers have been opened relating to the use of the word ‘Allah’, including issues pertaining to The Herald editor Lawrence Andrew and the hurling of ‘molotov cocktail’ into a church compound in Penang last Monday.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the police had also received 462 police reports lodged from throughout the country on the matter.
He said the reports were being studied, with investigations underway and discussions with the Attorney-General’s Chambers to ensure further action was taken.
“Incidents related to religion, pertaining to the use of the word, ‘Allah’, are still occurring, even over the last 48 hours, with several incidents reported in Penang.
“They include the display of banners with words degrading a certain religion and the ‘molotov cocktail’ incident at the church compound in Lebuh Farquhar, George Town.
“We view this matter seriously and I am issuing a strict warning to those irresponsible people to immediately stop such provocation which can jeopardise public order,” he said, adding there was no arrest over the church incident.
Khalid was speaking to reporters after a handing-over ceremony involving retiring Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Seri Syed Ismail Syed Azizan and incoming CCID deputy director (I) Datuk Tajudin Isa.
He said monitoring by the police after the Appeals Court ruling last October on the ‘Allah’ issue showed that several statements were made, besides incidents which were detrimental to public order and the country’s security.
Given that the Appeals Court ruling was still at the appeal stage in the Federal Court, he said, all quarters should not make any statement which could confuse or affect the judgement, in tandem with the statement issued by the attorney-general previously.
On Oct 14 last year, a three-member Appeal Court panel led by Federal Court Judge Datuk Seri Mohamed Apandi Ali unanimously agreed to allow the government’s appeal to ban The Herald from using the word, ‘Allah’.
The court set aside the High Court ruling to allow the publication of the word ‘Allah.’
– Bernama
