Former DAP lawmaker Tony Pua has had his statement recorded by police after dozens of reports were lodged nationwide over his response to a decree by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
In a Facebook post, Pua said he had given his “full cooperation” to investigators, describing the two officers who questioned him for about 40 minutes as “very professional”.
“As part of the statement, I affirmed that I had written the Facebook post myself, without duress from any other parties.
“When asked about the intent of the post, I responded that it was to share my views of the Rukun Negara. When asked about the meaning of the post, I replied that it was per what was written.
“As to whether the authorities will take any further action, I will have to wait and see. As to which other witnesses they might be taking statements from, I didn’t ask, and I have no clue,” he said, while thanking those who had expressed support and solidarity with him.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar said Pua is being investigated by the Special Investigation Unit under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for statements conducive to public mischief, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Kumar said police had initially received 28 reports nationwide regarding the post, with the figure later rising to 77 reports.
Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said investigations are being led by Selangor police.
Pua drew criticism over his Facebook post, in which he said Malaysia practises a constitutional monarchy system where the powers of the rulers are generally confined to specific matters, including Islam, Malay customs, appointing the menteri besar and consenting to the dissolution of state legislative assemblies.
He also stressed that Malaysia was not governed by a system in which royal decrees carried binding force over every aspect of public life.
The remarks came after Sultan Sharafuddin suggested that Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Wong Siew Ki and former Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu visit Dataran Selangor weekly to better understand and appreciate the meaning of the Rukun Negara.
The ruler’s comments followed controversy surrounding Wong and Liu’s responses to his call for pig farming to be fully prohibited in Selangor.