Police are merely carrying out their duties in investigating cases under the Sedition Act because the law exists, Penang Criminal Investigation Department chief Mazlan Kesah said today.
Mazlan said the police were enforcers of the law and acted on the instructions from their superiors.
In the case of a Form Five student who is currently being investigated under the Sedition Act after clinking 'like' on a "I Love Israel" Facebook, Mazlan said the on-going investigation followed a report lodged by the student after receiving threats for his action from several teachers.
The investigation has drawn flak from various quarters.
"If certain quarters do not want the Sedition Act, they can raise it through their parliamentarians," Mazlan said when met during a briefing on the country's Universal Periodic Review by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) in Penang today.
"But it will take time as we are a young country. Those who have done away with such laws were older (countries)," he added.
Mazlan was asked on why the Sedition Act was used to investigate the 17-year-old student from Nibong Tebal after Suhakam slammed the move as"over-reaction".
Suhakam commissioner Khaw Lake Tee (right), who was in Penang to conduct the UPR briefing, reiterated that the police had violated the teenager’s basic rights when deciding to use the Sedition Act against him.
Khaw stated firmly, in Mazlan’s presence, that "this is contrary to the spirit and articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Malaysia is party".
Police now awaiting MCMC report
However, Mazlan said the student has not been arrested and no action has yet been taken on him as the police investigation is still going on.
"We are still awaiting the report from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, which is helping us in the case," he said.
Mazlan acknowledged that clicking 'Like' on a page does not necessarily mean the individual supported the cause the page was promoting.
"Perhaps he wanted to be updated with the information. If he did not like the page, how to get information?"
The student, whose identity is under wrap until today, got himself into trouble when his controversial Facebook post was screen-captured and distributed by his teacher, also on Facebook.
This led to several teachers and schoolmates issuing threats against the student, with one remark suggesting that he be set on fire - "Kita Bakor je hahaha".
Mazlan said police are also investigating those who issued threats to the student, under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.
It is learnt that student has called a truce with his teachers, who are said to have issued an apology to him over the matter. He is reported to be back in school, attending normal classes.
Mazlan said the police were enforcers of the law and acted on the instructions from their superiors.
In the case of a Form Five student who is currently being investigated under the Sedition Act after clinking 'like' on a "I Love Israel" Facebook, Mazlan said the on-going investigation followed a report lodged by the student after receiving threats for his action from several teachers.
The investigation has drawn flak from various quarters.
"If certain quarters do not want the Sedition Act, they can raise it through their parliamentarians," Mazlan said when met during a briefing on the country's Universal Periodic Review by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) in Penang today.
"But it will take time as we are a young country. Those who have done away with such laws were older (countries)," he added.
Mazlan was asked on why the Sedition Act was used to investigate the 17-year-old student from Nibong Tebal after Suhakam slammed the move as"over-reaction".Suhakam commissioner Khaw Lake Tee (right), who was in Penang to conduct the UPR briefing, reiterated that the police had violated the teenager’s basic rights when deciding to use the Sedition Act against him.
Khaw stated firmly, in Mazlan’s presence, that "this is contrary to the spirit and articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Malaysia is party".
Police now awaiting MCMC report
However, Mazlan said the student has not been arrested and no action has yet been taken on him as the police investigation is still going on.
"We are still awaiting the report from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, which is helping us in the case," he said.
Mazlan acknowledged that clicking 'Like' on a page does not necessarily mean the individual supported the cause the page was promoting.
"Perhaps he wanted to be updated with the information. If he did not like the page, how to get information?"
The student, whose identity is under wrap until today, got himself into trouble when his controversial Facebook post was screen-captured and distributed by his teacher, also on Facebook.
This led to several teachers and schoolmates issuing threats against the student, with one remark suggesting that he be set on fire - "Kita Bakor je hahaha".
Mazlan said police are also investigating those who issued threats to the student, under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.
It is learnt that student has called a truce with his teachers, who are said to have issued an apology to him over the matter. He is reported to be back in school, attending normal classes.
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