Zahid: Prosecution is in the hands of the Attorney-General

PUTRAJAYA: Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the police have full faith on the discretionary powers of the Attorney-General to prosecute anyone under the Sedition Act.

He reiterated that the duty of the police was to investigate when a report was lodged.

“These investigation papers will be handed over to the A-G’s Chambers and the prosecution lies in the hands of the A-G.

“The police’s priority is to ensure peace and harmony in the country and we place our full faith in the discretion of the A-G to prosecute according to the law.

“As long as there is a police report, we will carry out our duty (to investigate),” Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters after the ministry’s monthly staff gathering here yesterday.

Meanwhile, the ministry briefed Pakatan Rakyat youth chiefs on developments involving the Sedition Act issue.

The ministry’s security and public order division secretary Datuk Awang Din Husain earlier received a memorandum from Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PKR), Suhaizan Kaiat (PAS), and Teo Kok Seong (DAP) here.

“We conveyed the concerns of the young over the progress (towards the repeal of the Act),” Suhaizan told reporters after the meeting which lasted less than an hour.

On July 11, 2012, Najib announced that the Sedition Act would be repealed and replaced with a National Harmony Bill as part of the country’s political tranformation plan.