By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
IPOH: The police detected the spread of slanderous false information entitled ‘District Police Chief prevents Hindus from fulfilling their prayer in the annual festival of the Idugathu Kaliamman Buntong Temple’ through a WhatsApp application by an irresponsible party yesterday.
Ipoh District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Yahaya Hassan said, the police insisted that the content of the writing was malicious with the aim of undermining the credibility of the Ipoh district police among members of the general public.
“Indeed, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) Ipoh respects the right to carry out religious activities for every individual in this country as provided under the Federal Constitution and has never prevented any individual from holding a religious prayer ceremony.
“In this matter, we are only giving advice and asking for cooperation from the temple to postpone the chariot and kavadi parade on 21 to 23 April 2023 due to the clash with the date of Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” he said in a statement here today.
Yahaya said, with the expected attendance of 25,000 devotees, it is certain that the planned procession will increase the flow of traffic and cause unusual congestion as well as a risk to the safety of public order in the nearby area.
“However, the police have no obstacles to any religious activity being held in the temple area,” he said.
Yahaya said, for information, the representatives of the organizers of the religious activities had also been clearly explained about this matter and they understood the views and agreed with the advice of the police.
“The organizers have also denied to the police about their complicity in spreading the slanderous false information.
“In connection with that, the public is advised not to be misled by baseless accusations and make any speculations about the content of the WhatsApp message, thereby affecting the credibility of the police or causing annoyance among the community,” he said.
He said the police will take strict action against any irresponsible party who spreads the writing under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
