KUALA KRAI: Eighty-nine of the 178 investigation papers opened by the police involved issues concerning alleged insults against royalty, said Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
The inspector-general of police said the investigation papers were opened between March 2023 and now.
He said the other investigation papers were on cases related to religion (53) and race (36).
"Since March last year, police have opened 178 investigation papers on alleged insults to rulers, religion and race (3R).
"From the figure, 170 are at the task force level or the Bukit Aman police, while another eight were at the contingent levels.
"A total of 125 were completed, whereby 18 of the cases have been charged," he said.
Speaking at a press conference after launching the police force's "Kampung Angkat Madani" here today, Razarudin said 53 investigation papers were still being investigated.
It has been learnt that 125 investigation papers on 3R issues that have been completed include those involving former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Perikatan Nasional chairman was charged at the Sessions Court in Gua Musang today with making seditious remarks at Felda Perasu on Aug 14.
(https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/08/1097209/updated-muhyidd...)
He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before judge Nik Mohd Tarmizie Nik Mohd Shukri.
He allegedly made the remarks near Dewan Semai Bakti in Felda Perasu here between 10.30pm and 11.50pm on Aug 14.
The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 and punishable under Subsection 4(1) of the same Act, which carries the maximum RM5,000 fine or three years' imprisonment or both if convicted.
Datuk Umar Saifuddin Jaafar led a six-member prosecution team.
Muhyiddin was represented by Amer Hamzah Arshad, Chetan Jethwani, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, Mohd Nasir Abdullah and Mariana Mat Kudin.
The court set bail at RM5,000 and rejected the prosecution's request for the gag order.
The court also fixed Nov 4 for mention.