Up close and personal: Comm Azmi (centre) talking with members of the public around Suria KLCC after officiating the High Profile Policing programme at Esplanade Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Stern action will be taken without hesitation against those who make provocative statements on race and religion, says city police chief Comm Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim.
“We will not tolerate or compromise with such individuals.
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“We hope the public will stand with us in preserving order and peace,” he told reporters after attending the High Profile Policing programme at Esplanade Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here yesterday.
He was commenting on a warning issued by the Inspector-General of Police that strict action without compromise awaited those issuing statements that touched on racial and religious sensitivities.
Last Friday, Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the police were monitoring the situation closely and would not hesitate to act against threats to security and public order.
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Comm Azmi said police would obtain the statement from a member of a non-governmental organisation involved in the “Jom Ziarah Gereja” programme.
He said while the programme had been cancelled, they would still record the statement of the NGO member today.
“The individual will go to Sentul district police headquarters to have his statement recorded.
“We will refer the matter to the Deputy Public Prosecutor once the investigation is completed,” he said.
Malaysia Unity Foundation trustee Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said that racial and religious provocation would jeopardise the harmony among the public.
“We do not need ethnic heroes who make seditious statements detrimental to racial harmony and national unity.
“On the contrary, we need ethnic bridge builders who care for racial harmony and unity.
“The police are responsible for ensuring peace and harmony in a multiracial and multireligious society like ours.
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“We must avoid all forms of provocation as this will jeopardise racial harmony,” he said.
Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, the founder of the Rapera Movement, which encourages thinking and compassionate citizens, said freedom of speech, democracy, politics and religious rights should never be allowed as an excuse to cause provocation or chaos by using religion or race.
“Since the majority of citizens in this country are Malays, it is incumbent upon the government to ensure that Islam is not used to divide Malaysians and Muslims among themselves.
“We should learn from other countries.
“Furthermore, Islam being the official religion of the country, requires extra protection by the government to enable the Muslims to practise their faith in peace without being manipulated for political gains by irresponsible quarters,” he said.
