LOW-QUALITY IGP BRINGS DOWN NAJIB FASTER: Till now no action on Mashitah's anti-Chinese comments

With inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar patrolling Twittersphere around-the-clock, action has been swift against the transgressions of opposition politicians and civil society leaders.

Within hours, they are picked up and remanded.

Khalid has defended the action, saying it is necessary to safeguard the security of the nation, especially with regard to postings on race and religion.

However, detractors have accused the police of clamping down on frivolous issues while allowing those from the ruling party the luxury of churning out incendiary statements with immunity.

They might have a point.

For example, investigations into former deputy minister Mashitah Ibrahim continues to remain a mystery despite the seriousness of her statement.

During last November’s Umno general assembly, the Wanita Umno leader had urged delegates to stand up in defence of their faith.

She related how the Chinese community in Kedah had torched the Quran page by page.

Double standards?

Mashitah made these remarks despite Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir clarifying earlier that it was the work of a Malay man with mental illness.

A slew of reports were lodged against Mashitah and the police swung into action, including recording statements from Malaysiakini journalists and obtaining the audio clip of her speech.

Given the police chief’s guidelines, this was a serious offence, containing all the ingredients to incite racial and religious discord, what more, when it was a fraudulent claim.

Months have passed and the investigations are still ongoing, and it is not even clear whether Mashitah was called up for questioning.

When told that DAP had filed a police report against her, Mashitah was unfazed and remained unapologetic.

"Even if they want to sue me, they can go ahead," she said.

After Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) executive director Eric Paulsen was detained by a team of policemen over a tweet that was deemed sensitive, Khalid had said it differed with Mashitah’s case.

The police chief said the former deputy minister was investigated under Section 505b of the Penal Code for spreading rumours to cause public alarm.

"It is not an 'arrestable' case as such she cannot be arrested,” said Khalid, denying there was double standard. - Mkini