Insulting religion: No question of AG not competent as reported in papers

He said since March this year, the AGC had submitted weekly reports on cases of public importance received from the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to the Prime Minister, ministers and relevant heads of departments.

These included cases which were still being investigated, those in court proceedings, dropped cases and completed cases, he said in a statement here today. As such, he stressed that there was no issue of cases where reports were made but no action was taken, or the AG being incompetent and unfair, or of selective action taken on individuals who committed offences as highlighted in the media.

He was commenting on calls made by various parties including Umno Youth deputy head Khairul Azwan Harun as reported in the mainstream media to take immediate and stern action against Facebook user Kelvin Yip and others for insulting Islam and the Malays.

Abdul Gani said in this matter, enforcement agencies such as the police and MCMC would conduct investigations and gather information when a police report was lodged by any party.

He said completed investigation papers would then be submitted to the AGC.

"If there is strong evidence that an individual had committed an offence, he would be charged under the relevant laws, regardless of his status or background.

"However, the police often face difficulty verifying an individual's identity if he did not have an internet protocol address, or had a false identity or a e-mail account."

Abdul Gani said police often encountered difficulty in getting the cooperation of foreign agencies in investigating a case of sedition.

However, he said a decision would be made after the AGC had looked at all evidence in an investigation. Commenting on the cases involving Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee; freelance speaker Shahul Hamid Seeni Mohd; Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer and controversial rap singer Wee Meng Chee Wee (or Namewee), Abdul Gani said all the cases had been referred to the AGC and follow up action was taken.

In the case of Alvin and Vivian, the department submitted three charges and determined the chargse against them, with an arrest warrant issued for Alvin who failed to turn up at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

In the case involving Shahul Hamid, the AGC had instructed the police to complete their investigation papers on him, Abdul Gani said.

He added that the department would also study the charge against RSN Rayer in connection with his speech alleged to have insulted Umno at the Penang State Assembly on May 20 while there was sufficient evidence to charge Namewee under Section 509 of the Penal Code for insulting Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) staff.