By Danial Dzulkifly
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has given the opposition a lengthy lesson in the Dewan Rakyat today pertaining to etiquette when addressing issues of race, religion and royalty (3R).
This is after Bersatu’s Pagoh MP Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin questioned Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain’s repeated warning that the issue is off limits, particularly during political campaigns, and that action will be taken against those acting in defiance.
The comment by the Perikatan Nasional chairman also comes in the aftermath of police investigations into his purportedly sensitive remarks.
In a close to 10-minute lecture in the Lower House, Saifuddin said statements related to 3R are not prohibited if, for example, they are well-intended or meant to champion a race or religion and initiate constructive discussions.
“After all, I, along with those on the Opposition bloc, are guided by the same faith,” he said in Parliament.
The minister, however, said provocative remarks that touch on the sensitivities of others should be avoided.
These include recent allegations made by Muhyiddin and PAS president and Marang MP Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang that depicted their political opponents Pakatan Harapan as being against the Malays, Islam and monarchy.
Saifuddin also clarified that ongoing police investigations into issues of 3R are strictly centred on determining whether politicians had made sensitive remarks, and that they involve both government and opposition members.
He said had these politicians refrained from commenting on matters sensitive to 3R, there would have been no grounds for the police to initiate a probe.
“The IGP has offered guidance in this context,” he said.
“There are 104 investigation papers against individuals from both sides of the political divide. I have numerous other examples to highlight, especially comments (with potential legal grounds for investigation) under the Penal Code, Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, Federal Constitution, and Sedition Act.”
Saifuddin further highlighted the police’s obligation to initiate investigations into these matters given the multiple reports that have been filed concerning allegations made by politicians.
Earlier, when posing his question to the minister, Muhyiddin lamented that he had been summoned by the police five times in recent months to provide his statements over his supposedly sensitive remarks.
Hadi had also been questioned by the authorities on several occasions for his political commentary on issues concerning 3R.
