Cops start probe on malicious SMS
Malaysiakini
Nov 6, 2006

A person has been interviewed by the police in regards to a malicious SMS which alleged that a group of Muslims were to be baptised at a church in Ipoh, Perak yesterday.

More people will be called in to help in the investigations, said Perak police chief Abdul Aziz Bulat today.

And this includes Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria, who the police say is not a suspect in the case.

He will be called in as his name was among those mentioned in the SMS, said Abdul Aziz.

“The Perak Mufti might shed some light over the matter and assist in police investigations,” he added.

The widely circulated SMS nearly caused a racial incident after a large crowd of angry Muslim Malaysians gathered at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Silibin to stop the baptism.

Conversion of Muslims to any other religion is illegal. However it turned out that the actual function in the church was the first Holy Communion for 110 Indian children.

The protesters had refused to disperse despite warnings from the police - which even had a team from the Federal Reserve Unit on the spot.

Abdul Aziz said today that the matter was being investigated under the Sedition Act.

“We will be calling a few other persons mentioned in the SMS as well as from the phone numbers that we have. We are trying to discover where the SMS originated from,” Bernama quoted Abdul Aziz as saying.

He added that three police reports were lodged over the matter yesterday - by the police, Perak Umno Youth and by the church.

Racial disputes

Meanwhile deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak said stern actions should be taken against those who spread such malicious rumours.

Bernama quoted him as saying that he had informed Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan to act swiftly against the culprits.

“Firm action must be taken against those responsible because the SMS message is dangerous as it can lead to racial disputes and create a tense situation in the country,” he said.

In a related matter, Perak Menteri Besar Tajol Rosli Ghazali hoped such matters do not arise in the future.

“We have to respect each other and each other’s religions,” he said.