PUTRAJAYA: Those who "cross the red line" by drumming up seditious matters will face police action, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister's warning came in light of recent sensitivity issues being ramped up by certain groups, resulting in extreme action that threatens the peace and harmony in the country.
"There are sensitivities that have their red lines.
"There exist groups whose work is to give rise to uneasiness through extreme seditious matters that are then acted upon.
"This requires action by our security apparatus," he told reporters at a press conference on Thursday (April 4).
He noted that action by the police could stem from police reports lodged by members of the public or reports lodged by the police themselves.
He said that the matter was discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (April 3), where it was decided that the Home Ministry would be responsible for tackling the recent trend.
Saifuddin said this when asked to comment on the latest status of investigations into the controversial socks issue.
When asked if this meant that action would be taken against groups such as Umno Youth, led by Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, Saifuddin merely said, "You are putting words into my mouth."
"I do not want to tell them (the police) whether to arrest them or not.
"Let the police carry out their evaluation and let them take action accordingly," he said.
He added he did not want to "enter into police territory" on such matters.
Since March 26, there have been three Molotov cocktail attacks on a KK Mart over the controversial sock issue.
The first incident occurred at an outlet in Bidor, Tapah, on March 26, the second in Sungai Isap, Kuantan, on March 29, and the third in Kuching, Sarawak, on March 31.
Dr Muhamad Akmal has been vocal over the issue and has called for a boycott of KK Mart convenience stores nationwide.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin called on all quarters to heed the advice of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, not to prolong the sock issue.
On April 3, His Majesty granted Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan, the owner of KK Mart, an audience.
During the 15-minute audience, Chai sought His Majesty's forgiveness and apologised to the King and all Muslims over the socks issue.
His Majesty decreed that all parties, including KK Mart, must be more careful with the products they sell, especially imported goods, to avoid recurrences of the issue.
His Majesty also did not want the sock issue to be prolonged any further.
On March 26, Chai and four others were charged at the Sessions Court here over their link to the distribution and sale of socks with the word "Allah" on them.
Also charged were KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd and Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd.
All five claimed trial with the court fixing April 19 for mention.
