KUALA LUMPUR: The police have been instructed to investigate anyone who insults the national coat of arms, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (pic).
The Home Minister said it is an offence under Section 3(1)(a) of the Emblems and Names Act for anyone to mock the Jata Negara, which is the symbol of the Federal Government.
"I have instructed the police to investigate and take action as soon as possible.
"The government will not compromise against any party that takes such irresponsible and unpatriotic acts," he said in a Facebook post on Monday (June 29).
Earlier, Bukit Aman CID deputy director Deputy Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the police would call up those linked to a book which allegedly insults the "Jata Negara" on its cover.
"We have already received a report on the matter and we will investigate and call up the relevant parties, including the author and publisher," he had said when contacted.
On Sunday, Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dasuki had called for the Home Ministry to take action against the author, publisher and editor of the book, which insulted the Jata Negara.
In a Facebook post, Asyraf said the book, titled “Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance, And Hope In New Malaysia”, should be banned as the image on the cover bears a resemblance to the national coat of arms but features a naked child flanked by two tigers with humanoid faces stepping on a crocodile.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
