DATUK Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has defended a police probe into race, religion, and royalty (3R), which included leaders of opposition parties.
The Home Minister said police have the responsibility to probe Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang as reports were lodged against them.
“If you want to talk about the love for your race, that our race must be hardworking, continue to progress, or uphold their dignity, that is not an issue. No one will stop you.
“But if you say voting for Pakatan Harapan is dangerous because the coalition is sponsoring a group of Jews, that is not allowed,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Muhyiddin (PN-Pagoh).
Muhyiddin asked the Home Minister whether he would instruct the Inspector-General of Police to withdraw his statement that no parties were allowed to touch issues related to the 3R issues.
Muhyiddin, who is Perikatan Nasional chairman, said that such matters could be discussed as long as they do not contravene the Federal Constitution, the Malay Rulers, or relevant laws.
“Now people are scared (to talk about the matter).
“I was made to understand the police do not have any standard operating procedures (SOP) on this matter.
“Whoever touches these issues will be called in; even I have been called in (by the police) five times,” said Muhyiddin.
On Sept 7, IGP Tan Sri Razarudin Husain dismissed the notion that investigations into issues related to 3R issues were politically motivated.
Citing several examples, Saifuddin said that a report was lodged against Muhyiddin on Nov 17, 2022, for making remarks related to the 3R issues.
Saifuddin cited Abdul Hadi’s alleged statement from July 30 that Pakatan attempted to change the Constitution, abandon Islam, and challenge the Malays’ special position during its 22-month tenure as the Federal Government as another example.
Saifuddin also said a total of 104 investigation papers involving politicians from both the government and the opposition had been opened.
