The police have denied allegations that it has been selective in investigating cases involving insults against religions or racist remarks.
 
Deputy inspector-general of police Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin said the police has never given preference to any race or religion either, but urged the public to understand that the time needed to complete an investigation varies.
 
Mohd Bakri did not mention which case he is referring to in his statement, but it appeared to be in response to calls to prosecute Facebook user Kelvin Yip.
 
“In dealing with irresponsible statements spread through social media especially Facebook, the police needs to identify the actual owner of the account used first so that it can act fairly. In most cases, the accounts are registered overseas where Malaysian laws do not apply.
 
“In addition the police take a long time to conduct a forensic investigation when the account holder claims to be hacked by a third party. This requires the cooperation with other agencies,” he said in a statement today.
 
Mohd Bakri also called for calm and urged others not to play up the issue, saying that it would further inflame existing racial and religious sentiments and threaten public order.
 
Previously, Umno youth leaders Sheikh Abdul Rahman and Razlan Muhammad Rafii had accused attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail (right) of selective prosecution over the Kelvin Yip’s statements, whereas Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) similarly questioned Abdul Gani as well as inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.
 
In response, Abdul Gani said the matter should be referred to the police.
 
Previously Yip had allegedly posted a profanity-laden post complaining about the prayer sounds from a mosque during Raya season as being loud. He later apologised and then deleted his account.
 
Umno youth and Isma are both unhappy that the authorities have previously been silent on Yip’s case, whereas road rage perpetrator Siti Fairrah Ashykin Kamaruddin, or Kiki, and religious preacher Shahul Hamid were swiftly investigated after their antics are exposed through videos circulated via social media.

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