Caricature: Tribune probe still on, say cops
Published: Mar 29, 2006 8:40 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Police are still investigating complaints over the publication of offensive caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad by the now defunct English daily Sarawak Tribune .
However, the status of investigations into RTM for a similar offence remains unknown.
Police are still investigating complaints over the publication of offensive caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad by the now defunct English daily Sarawak Tribune.
According to Sarawak Police Commissioner Talib Jamal, the case is being investigated under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and statements have been recorded from 10 individuals.
"There is no time frame for the probe as we want to ensure a smooth and thorough investigation," said Talib, reported Bernama today.
Police are focusing on the possibility of criminal elements being involved in the incident. Under the act, offenders are liable to three-year imprisonment and a maximum fine of RM20,000.
Sarawak Tribune's publication license was suspended by the Internal Security Ministry on Feb 9 following for the publication of the caricatures by the newspaper on Feb 4.
The 61-year old paper was subsequently closed down by its management Sarawak Press Sdn Bhd. A new paper, Eastern Times, has since been launched.
TV2 probe
Meanwhile, Deputy Information Minister Chia Kwang Chai when met today declined to comment on the status of investigations by his ministry over a similar offence committed by RTM's TV2.
On March 7, malaysiakini obtained footage proving that a TV2 news programme on Feb 3 showed a man reading a newspaper report with two of the caricatures displayed.
It is believed that its sister station, TV1, had also used the same footage, which was provided by an international news wire. RTM comes directly under the purview of the Information Ministry.
Following this, RTM director-general Abdul Rahman Hamid told malaysiakini that the station had no plans of apologising over the matter for now.
Previously, Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin said RTM had been asked to prepare the necessary information and to cooperate with the authorities.
Zainuddin - better known as Zam - however did not indicate if RTM nor his ministry would follow TV3 and ntv7's lead in apologising. The latter two had also aired footage of the caricatures.
The caricatures, deemed blasphemous by Muslims and which sparked protests around the world, were first published by a Danish newspaper late last year.
According to Sarawak Police Commissioner Talib Jamal, the case is being investigated under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and statements have been recorded from 10 individuals.
"There is no time frame for the probe as we want to ensure a smooth and thorough investigation," said Talib, reported Bernama today. Police are focusing on the possibility of criminal elements being involved in the incident. Under the act, offenders are liable to three-year imprisonment and a maximum fine of RM20,000.
Sarawak Tribune's publication license was suspended by the Internal Security Ministry on Feb 9 following for the publication of the caricatures by the newspaper on Feb 4.
The 61-year old paper was subsequently closed down by its management Sarawak Press Sdn Bhd. A new paper, Eastern Times, has since been launched.
TV2 probe
Meanwhile, Deputy Information Minister Chia Kwang Chai when met today declined to comment on the status of investigations by his ministry over a similar offence committed by RTM's TV2.
On March 7, malaysiakini obtained footage proving that a TV2 news programme on Feb 3 showed a man reading a newspaper report with two of the caricatures displayed.
It is believed that its sister station, TV1, had also used the same footage, which was provided by an international news wire. RTM comes directly under the purview of the Information Ministry. Following this, RTM director-general Abdul Rahman Hamid told malaysiakini that the station had no plans of apologising over the matter for now.
Previously, Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin said RTM had been asked to prepare the necessary information and to cooperate with the authorities.
Zainuddin - better known as Zam - however did not indicate if RTM nor his ministry would follow TV3 and ntv7's lead in apologising. The latter two had also aired footage of the caricatures.
The caricatures, deemed blasphemous by Muslims and which sparked protests around the world, were first published by a Danish newspaper late last year.
View Comments0