Bukit Aman rubbishes claims of communal clashes

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has rubbished claims of impending communal clashes that have been making the rounds on social media recently.

IGP Secretariat (corporate communications) Asst Comm Datin Asmawati Ahmad said the seditious message had advised non-Malays to be aware of violence against them during the Sept 16 Celebration Parade.

“The vicious message also claimed that racial violence has been planned in such a way that an emergency declaration could be achieved to suit a political agenda,” said ACP Asmawati.

She added in a statement on Wednesday that the message also called on Chinese and Indians to stay home on Sept 16 and to stock up their emergency food pantry and other necessities in light of the supposed racial violence.

ACP Asmawati said the police would like to affirm the said message is baseless conjecture made by irresponsible quarters seeking to jeopardise racial harmony and undermine public order.

“Please be advised that spreading such unfounded and unverified information could bring about distrust, discord and disharmony amongst this country’s multiracial society,” she said.

She added that the police had made numerous statements drawing public attention to the provisions of Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and Section 233(1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act with regards to any act that has seditious tendencies and the improper use of network facilities and services.

ACP Asmawati said that the public is advised to contact the relevant authorities should they be doubtful of messages that are being circulated.