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PDRM's Media Statement on the ISA arrests |
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Monday, 15 September 2008 08:10pm |
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 In recent weeks, there has been an escalation of racially insensitive, seditious
and disparaging acts and remarks by individuals and organisations bringing about
a state of unrest and religious tension in the country.
When the police decided to invoke the ISA, the decision was based on
intelligence and observation that certain acts by the individuals concerned were
detrimental to the calm, peace and harmony of the country.
These acts if not curtailed would cause public disorder and be a threat to
national security. An arrest under the ISA is only made when the police strongly
believes that certain acts by individual can pose a serious threat to public
order and national security.
These are the grounds in which the police based their decision on.
When there are reasonable ground the police will act accordingly under the
provisions of Section 73(1) of the ISA. An arrest under the Section provides the
police with means to investigate and verify whether the intelligence received
can be substantiated.
In the case of the Sin Chew Daily news reporter, she was released as soon
as the police had verified the intelligence and found no grounds to detain her
further.
In the case of Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Teresa Kok, the police need time to
investigate further on their alleged involvement in acts that can be considered
as prejudicial to the security of the country.
We have 60 days under the ISA to investigate. As soon as we can establish that
we have no firm grounds to substantiate our believes that they pose a threat to
national security, we will release those persons.
But at any time within the 60 days, we find that our beliefs are substantiated,
we will subject the case to the Minister with the recommendation that the person
be detained under the Minister’s order of detention under Section 8(1) of the
ISA.
In so far as the investigation is concerned, the police will conduct the
investigation professionally and expeditiously, as it would not be in the public
interest for the police to act otherwise.
The public are hereby advised not to take matters into their own hands except in
accordance to law.
Let the police work within the system and laws of the country. Racial and
religious unrest can be triggered over small matters and can escalate into
situations that are damaging and irreversible.
We cannot allow the May 13, Kg Medan and Kg Rawa incidents to repeat and destroy
the country.
The police will have to take pre-emptive measures in order to prevent the
situation from getting out of control.
As such, the public must allow the police to act within the perimeters of the
law in this country, including the ISA, which is a swift mechanism for effective
action.
The police are continuously monitoring the situation and will not hesitate to
take action against anyone who continues inciting racial and religious issues
which are detrimental to the calm, peace and harmony of the country.
In the interest of the nation’s peace and harmony, the police will act without
fear or favour. The police wish to reiterate and affirm that at the current
moment, the situation in this country is calm and under control.
Tan Sri Ismail Omar Deputy Inspector General of Police
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Circular No 297/2008
Why then the man who uttered the most racist statement in public and need no further investigation as the evidence of that statement is overwhelming is still free to run about?
Please explain that Tan Sri.
In the interest of the nation's peace and harmony, do what is right for the country, not what is right for the ruling party.
Siti Zabedah Kasim