Police have opened an investigation into PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for criminal defamation and breach of the peace, after he accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of being an Israeli agent.
Bukit Aman CID classified criminal investigation unit said it had received several reports lodged against the Marang MP.
“The case has been classified under sections 500 and 504 of the penal code, as well as section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,” police said in a statement, referring to legislation regarding intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and defamation, respectively.
Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 details abuse of internet facilities and is punishable with a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, and a further fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.
Earlier, Putrajaya PKR youth lodged a police report urging the police to investigate the malicious claims that Anwar was an Israeli agent.
Its leader Ezam Zaidi, who lodged the police report, said that his party had identified two individuals responsible for spreading the matter and described it as malicious intent against the Prime Minister.
Yesterday, a Pakatan Harapan supporter shared an audio recording of a woman, who spoke in a thick Kedah dialect, commenting on Anwar’s appointment as prime minister on Thursday.
In the recording, the woman is heard claiming that Baling MP Hassan Saad had told her after the general election that PAS had secured enough votes to form the government.
The woman claimed that Anwar had “contacted Israel and foreign powers” to interfere in the matter.
Police has also confirmed it has commenced investigations over PAS’ Baling MP Hassan Saad’s remarks portraying Anwar as an agent of Israel.
Earlier today, Hadi said he was willing to go to Bukit Aman, following instructions by Anwar for the police to probe parties who issue slanderous or extreme remarks that could threaten the country’s harmony.
“Go on and lodge a police report. I’m willing to go to Bukit Aman, it’s alright,” Hadi briefly told a press conference after a ceramah (lecture) for the Tioman state seat election in Pahang last night.
Yesterday, Hadi also accused DAP of promoting Islamophobia in the country.
The Marang MP’s jibe came following police reports lodged by Harapan leaders and supporters against online hate allegedly spread by PAS members and supporters during and after GE15.
In the last leg of campaigning for GE15, Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin claimed that Harapan was an agent of Jews and Christians who were out to colonise Malaysia.
The Pagoh MP, however, later claimed his remark was taken out of context.
Several posts warning about a possible repeat of the deadly May 13, 1969, race riots were also found on social media platform TikTok in the 48 hours after polling day on Nov 19.