Mosque official probed after criticising police over PPS issue

The police has opened an investigation paper on a mosque official (khatib) who allegedly criticised the police on the issue of the Voluntary Patrol Squad (PPS) in a Friday sermon here yesterday.

North East District Police chief ACP Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the individual, an official at the Acheh Kebun Lama Mosque, would be called soon to help in investigations under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948.

"To date, police have received a report on the matter from a man who claimed to be an ordinary member of PAS yesterday," he said in a statement here, today.

The report, which was made by a 42-year-old man, also claimed that the official stated his support for PPS and criticised the government over its tackling of the issue.

The man who also performed the Friday prayers at the mosque said the official's action resulted in unease among the people present.

On Sunday, police detained 156 members of PPS including its chairman, who is also State Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman, Phee Boon Poh for flouting warning against carrying out activities after PPS was found to be unregistered with the Registrar of Societies.

A day after that, police detained Seri Delima State Assemblyman RSN Rayer and then the deputy of the squad, who is also Tanjong Member of Parliament Ng Wei Aik on Thursday.