Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar today defended his method of using Twitter in informing the public of the police's actions, saying that it is not legally wrong.
In a statement, the top cop lashed out at critics who accused the Malaysian police force of using the micro-blog to 'crackdown dissent'.
He said to accuse the Royal Malaysian Police of using Twitter to crackdown dissent is most inappropriate, and to charge that the police is using the medium as an extension of the arms of archaic and draconian law is most uncalled for.
"It is appalling that critics should lambast the way the Malaysian Police keep the public informed of police actions through Twitter with regards to matters that have raised public's concerns, it is not legally wrong.
"However it is so, when some quarters use the platform to influence or instigate third party's opinions or actions that adversely affect national security and interest," said Khalid.
He said in a multiracial country like Malaysia, restraint and caution must be exercised by all parties to control the rise of racial and religious sentiments which could 'tear the country apart'.
Besides that, Khalid also felt that seditious and intimidating comments could disrupt social harmony and create unrest amongst the people.
While agreeing to freedom of speech as being the political right to communicate one's opinions and ideas, however, Khalid said it should come with common limitations which are universally observed by governments all over the world.
"And these include amongst others, slander, sedition, hate speech, incitement, public security, public order and public nuisance," he stressed.
He added that the police will continue to do what's right and best for the nation, without fear or favour.
Khalid was commenting on the criticism directed against him which rebuke the way he handles police investigations in matters pertaining to seditious and intimidating postings on Twitter.
Earlier today, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) through its statement, condemned Khalid’s method of 'ordering' his men to probe Twitter users who post 'seditious' remarks on Twitter.
LFL executive director Eric Paulsen in the statement had also accused Khalid of deciding on a whim what can or cannot be published, and even practising double standards and selective prosecution.
On Monday, Khalid had ordered the Police Cyber Investigation Response Centre (PCIRC) to investigate PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, DAP MP Nga Kor Ming and cartoonist Zunar over tweets that contain criticism over Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction by the Federal Court.
Later that night, Zunar or his real name Zulkiflee Anwar Alhaque was arrested around 9pm at his residence over the remark that he made.
He, however, was released today after being remanded for three days by the police.
In a statement, the top cop lashed out at critics who accused the Malaysian police force of using the micro-blog to 'crackdown dissent'.
He said to accuse the Royal Malaysian Police of using Twitter to crackdown dissent is most inappropriate, and to charge that the police is using the medium as an extension of the arms of archaic and draconian law is most uncalled for.
"It is appalling that critics should lambast the way the Malaysian Police keep the public informed of police actions through Twitter with regards to matters that have raised public's concerns, it is not legally wrong.
"However it is so, when some quarters use the platform to influence or instigate third party's opinions or actions that adversely affect national security and interest," said Khalid.
He said in a multiracial country like Malaysia, restraint and caution must be exercised by all parties to control the rise of racial and religious sentiments which could 'tear the country apart'.
Besides that, Khalid also felt that seditious and intimidating comments could disrupt social harmony and create unrest amongst the people.
While agreeing to freedom of speech as being the political right to communicate one's opinions and ideas, however, Khalid said it should come with common limitations which are universally observed by governments all over the world.
"And these include amongst others, slander, sedition, hate speech, incitement, public security, public order and public nuisance," he stressed.
He added that the police will continue to do what's right and best for the nation, without fear or favour.
Khalid was commenting on the criticism directed against him which rebuke the way he handles police investigations in matters pertaining to seditious and intimidating postings on Twitter.
Earlier today, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) through its statement, condemned Khalid’s method of 'ordering' his men to probe Twitter users who post 'seditious' remarks on Twitter.
LFL executive director Eric Paulsen in the statement had also accused Khalid of deciding on a whim what can or cannot be published, and even practising double standards and selective prosecution.
On Monday, Khalid had ordered the Police Cyber Investigation Response Centre (PCIRC) to investigate PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, DAP MP Nga Kor Ming and cartoonist Zunar over tweets that contain criticism over Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction by the Federal Court.
Later that night, Zunar or his real name Zulkiflee Anwar Alhaque was arrested around 9pm at his residence over the remark that he made.
He, however, was released today after being remanded for three days by the police.
