Saifuddin defends probe by police on 3R-related reports

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has defended the probe made by police on issues related to Race, Religion and Royalty (3R).

The Home Minister said police had to probe Opposition leaders including Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang as there were reports lodged against them.

“If you want to talk about loving your race, that our race must be hardworking, and continue to progress, or their dignity must be upheld, that is not an issue. No one will stop you.

“You can continue to talk. But if you say something like voting Pakatan will be dangerous as Pakatan is sponsoring a group of Jews, that is not allowed,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Muhyiddin (PN-Pagoh) during Question Time.

Muhyiddin had asked the Home Minister whether he would instruct the Inspector-General of Police to withdraw his statement that no parties were allowed to touch on matters related to the 3R issues.

Muhyiddin said that such matters could be discussed as long as it does not contravene with the Federal Constitution, against the Malay Rulers or the relevant laws.

“Now people are scared and I was made to understand that the police do not have any standard operating procedures (SOPs) on this matter.

“Whoever touches these issues will be called in, even though I have been called in five times,” said Muhyiddin.

On Sept 7, the IGP had dismissed the notion that investigations into issues related to 3R 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 3Rs.

“If you want to talk about the race and purity of Islam, please go on, but if you accuse Pakatan of sponsoring a group of Jews, the police need to investigate it,” he said.

Another example given by Saifuddin was the statement by Abdul Hadi on July 30, who allegedly said that Pakatan Harapan, during its 22-month administration as the Federal Government, had allegedly tried to change the Constitution and abandon Islam as well as challenge the special position of the Malays.

“During the 22 months, I was with Pagoh in the government.

“Let us recall back to Pagoh, during the 22 months, were there any Cabinet papers or any decisions at the top Pakatan leadership level where we had mentioned that we wanted to change the Constitution and to abandon Islam?

“I do not recall such an instance, but this was raised so a report was lodged,” asked Saifuddin.

He also hit out at PAS for their double standards when it comes to the political cooperation with DAP, when in fact PAS had cooperated with DAP previously.

“And when you mention that Pakatan had rejected Islam, and supports the communists, a group of traitors and rejects the Malay rulers, in one of your speeches on Oct 14, a report was lodged, so, we have to investigate,” he said.

The Home Minister said a total of 104 investigation papers had been opened in relation to the 3R issues, involving both politicians from the government and the Opposition.

“We investigate both sides. I can give you more examples of words that are not allowed under the Penal Code or the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

“This will be our guide for the government to address issues related to 3R,” he further said.