The police today interviewed a Malaysiakini editor and journalist in connection with a report lodged against former deputy minister Mashitah Ibrahim.

The report was based on a Malaysiakini article which quoted the Wanita Umno leader as claiming that the Chinese community in Kedah had torched pages of the Quran during a prayer ritual.

Mashitah had made the remarks during last week's Umno general assembly.

The police team from Bukit Aman recorded statements from journalist Abdul Rahim Sabri and assistant chief editor RK Anand.

The case is being investigated under Section 505 of the Penal Code for racial incitement.

During her speech at the assembly, Mashitah had raised the Quran burning issue when calling on Wanita delegates to defend Islam.

The Baling Wanita Umno chief later said that she had heard about the incident from Kuala Kedah Wanita Umno chief Noor Hasita Mat Isa.

However, no such incident had taken place.

Prior to the assembly, Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir clarified that a mentally-ill Malay man had torn pages of the Quran but there was no burning reported.

The man is currently under detention at the psychiatric ward of a hospital in the state.

DAP MPs had also lodged a police report against Mashitah but the latter remained unfazed, saying that the opposition could even sue her.

Mashitah had made the incendiary  remarks despite Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor cautioning delegates against raising sensitive issues at the party meet.

Police reports were also filed against Permatang Pauh Umno chief Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said for claiming that the Chinese in Penang were successful due to unlawful businesses and for using the derogatory term "keling".

Zaidi later claimed that he was misquoted with regard to his remarks on the Chinese.

This morning, Tengku Adnan said Umno will "look into" the case of delegates raising sensitive matters.

Meanwhile, DAP MP Teo Nie Ching also had her statement recorded by the police today over her report against Mashitah.

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