.png)
KUALA LUMPUR – Police are investigating Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy over a Facebook post under three legislations after publishing his comments related to the plight of single mother Loh Siew Hong and the alleged detention of her three children.
In a statement, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hassan confirmed that police have received six reports over Ramasamy’s post that was published earlier this month.
He added that investigations will be carried out under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code that encompasses issuing statements with the intent to ignite racial tensions and Section 504 of the same code that involves issuing a statement, which can breach the peace.
Ramasamy will also be investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for misuse of network facilities.
Meanwhile, Ramasamy said he is prepared to be investigated by police over the Facebook post but at the same time wants them to investigate those who have made provocative and racial statements against him.
“While I am ready to be investigated by police on the grounds of certain allegations contained in the police reports, at the same time, I want the police to investigate those who have made provocative and racist statements against me and my colleagues.
“In fact, my office has lodged two police reports over the extremists’ statements,” he said.
Posted on February 13, Ramasamy blasted the Seberang Prai Utara police for “avoiding responsibilities” in refusing to accept Loh’s initial police report.
He also claimed that if Perlis religious authorities did in fact “take” Loh’s children and unilaterally convert them “this is akin to kidnapping”.
On Monday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted Loh a writ of habeas corpus that required her children to be released into her care.
However, it remains to be seen if Loh will challenge the unilateral conversion of her children.
The case also raised the spectre of M. Indira Gandhi’s case where she has yet to regain custody of her youngest daughter Prasana Diksa since 2009.
Prasana, was taken by Indira’s former husband Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, also known as K. Pathmanathan, who unilaterally converted the child to Islam.
The Federal Court in a landmark decision later ruled against unilateral religious conversion of minors. – The Vibes, February 23, 2022