Cops To Call Those Behind Comic Book To Give Statements Says Igp

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Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador says the investigation papers will be sent the attorney-general’s office for further action.KUALA SELANGOR: Police have taken the statement of a comic book artist who published “Inisiatif Jalur Dan Jalan – Meraih Manfaat Bersama” (“Belt and Road Initiative for Win Winism”) yesterday afternoon in Bukit Aman while one or two other individuals related to its publication will also be called in the near future
Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said the testimony of two other individuals were necessary for him to determine the nature of the offence that was spread through the writing of the alleged propaganda comic
“At the moment, we are not able to determine the offence committed. However, after the other two individuals have testified, we will take the investigation papers to the attorney-general’s office for further action,” he told reporters after officiating the flagging-off of the Allied Convoy Vol 4 2019 (RBV # 4) here today
Yesterday, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said a preliminary report by the ministry’s security department found that something was wrong with the comic and that it was appropriate for stern action against those who published and distributed the comic
Recently, the media reported that the comic was believed to have been distributed to the Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK) and the Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (SJK) in the country
Commenting on the arrest of 12 individuals in connection with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist group, Hamid stressed that it was not based on political pressure from any party, or racial and religious issues, but based on strong evidence of involvement
“Investigations into this issue have been ongoing since November last year. The Counter-Terrorism Division (E8) of the Bukit Aman Special Branch has enough evidence to take action
“I can assure you that we did not make the arrests without reasons
“Once we have completed our investigation and have enough proof, we’ll seek the opinion of the attorney-general’s office before proceeding with any action
“After discussing with my officers, the arrests were made at my directive,” he said
He said although the arrests were made under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), the individual’s rights were still protected and they were being held in detention centres in areas with closed-circuit camera surveillance
The LTTE has been listed as a terrorist group in Malaysia since 2014 and to date, 12 individuals, including two state assemblymen from DAP, have been arrested on suspicion of supporting and channelling funds to the group
Meanwhile, Hamid said he would no longer condone the practice of exchanging problematic personnel with the general operations force (PGA) unless action had been taken against them and proper counseling given
He said such practices were seen as detrimental to the security forces as the lackadaisical attitude of the officers and staff could worsen the situation at the new police department that they joined
“This group needs to be given some counselling before being transferred to another department because corrupt officials who are being transferred to the PGA can exert negative influence and cause PGA to deviate
“This will contribute to the prevalence of corruption in crime, which has led to widespread smuggling activities across the country’s borders
“Since 2014, we have taken action against 10 officers and 33 personnel of various ranks. This included freezing their promotions, punishment, fines and placing them in inactive posts, during the counselling period,” he said
He added that the disclosure made by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday that it had thousands of video clips on smuggling activities across the country’s borders was not intended to defame the security forces
Instead, said Hamid, it was seen as a serious effort by the agency to improve and boost public confidence in the police force. - FMT

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