KUALA LUMPUR: Let the police investigate if the allegations of a leak in the investigation report regarding the Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin murder case on social media are true.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said police have standard operating procedures (SOP) that must be adhered to in conducting any investigation.
He said the investigation process needs to be carried out with full care and caution.
"I say give space to the police. If there are claims of leaked information creating or shaping public sentiment or perception, it disrupts investigations.
"So for now, let them continue to focus on conducting investigations professionally," he said after the wearing of ranks ceremony for three policemen who were promoted following the attack on the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor.
Saifuddin Nasution said whatever information disseminated must come from authoritative sources.
He said public expectations regarding the case of the late Zayn Rayyan were indeed high, and allegations of leaked investigation information will disrupt the ongoing investigation process.
He said public thinking should not be based on perceptions and unfounded assumptions.
As such, said Saifuddin Nasution, all investigations conducted by police must be carried out professionally and without compromising the principles of justice.
"Believe me, I constantly receive the latest information and new developments regarding major cases handled by the country's authorities.
"There is no doubt about the police's hard work in handling investigations promptly, while not compromising on principles of professionalism and fairness.
"What I said and the assurance given by the police force, both by the inspector-general of police and the Criminal Investigation Department director, repeatedly in the case of Zayn Rayyan, the police will consider any new evidence found in such cases."
Earlier, federal CID director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain had said police will collaborate with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate the dissemination of purported investigation details linked to the murder of Zayn Rayyan on social media platforms.
This, he said, was as disseminating unverified information was an extremely irresponsible act.
During the ceremony, two constables slain in the attack — Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, and 24-year-old Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said — were posthumously promoted to the rank of corporal.
Three of their colleagues were given field promotions.
Constable Mohd Khairul Azhar Abbi Paisa and Lance Corporal Mohamad Aznel Mat Salleh were both promoted to the rank of corporal, while Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan, who was wounded in the attack, was promoted to sergeant.