KUALA LUMPUR: Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor will be called up by the police for allegedly showing his marked ballot paper to members of the media on polling day, says the country’s top cop.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said they were investigating the matter under the Election Offences Act after a report was lodged.
“As per the investigation, he will be called in soon for his statement to be recorded,” he told reporters in Bukit Aman yesterday.
The police, said the IGP, would go through the relevant laws in the course of their investigation into Muhammad Sanusi.
“I stand with the Deputy IGP, Bukit Aman directors and the rest of the police force in vowing that we will not victimise anyone. We will be fair in our conduct, especially in investigating any case,” he said.
Caught on camera: Muhammad Sanusi showing who he voted for on his ballot paper before slotting it into the box at the polling centre.
Razarudin said the investigation paper would be referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers upon completion.
On Sunday, Muhammad Sanusi claimed that he had not intended to show his marked ballot paper to the media before casting it into the ballot box.
He said the ballot paper was accidentally exposed while entertaining requests from members of the media for pictures.
A picture of Muhammad Sanusi showing off his marked ballot paper had gone viral online.
Section 39 of the Election Offences Act 1954 states that no elector who has voted at any election shall, in any proceeding to question the election, be required to state for whom he has voted.
Under the Act, such an offence is punishable with a maximum jail term of one year, a fine of up to RM3,000 or both.
