Cops to monitor those playing up 3R issues during state polls, says IGP

GEORGE TOWN: The police will not hesitate to take stern action against those who bring up issues on race, religion and royalty (3R) during the upcoming state elections.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the 3R issues, if brought up, would bring disharmony and public disturbance.

"For political parties and candidates, they should know the dos and don'ts during the elections, and they should heed to the laws related to the polls," he said after visiting the Penang police contingent operations room on Monday (July 3) in preparation for the state election.

Razarudin said a special team comprising police officers and personnel to monitor those playing up 3R issues will be mobilised during the period.

He said police won't hesitate to open investigation papers should any of the political parties raise 3R issues.

He said among the actions that can be taken were under the Sedition Act 1948, Section 506 of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, among others.

On the mobilisation of police officers and personnel to the six states for the state elections, Razarudin said about 40,000 officers and personnel will be deployed.

He said for Penang, some 600 officers and personnel from Bukit Aman and other states that are not involved in state elections will be deployed as an additional force.

Asked about when political parties and candidates can apply for permits to hold ceramah during campaigning, Razarudin said it is advisable for political parties and candidates to do so as early as possible.

"By right, once the dissolution of the state assembly is announced, they can apply for the permit.

“My advice is to apply as early as possible as we don’t want overlapping applications with other political parties," he said.

Razarudin was earlier briefed by Penang police chief Comm Datuk Khaw Kok Chin on the readiness of the state police contingent during the state election that was expected to be held in early August.

Present during the visit were state acting deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm Rahimi Ra'ais and all five police OCPDs.

Apart from Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will also go to the polls.