Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's queries made against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak are not seditious, former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan says.

His response is seen as being of the same view as the current IGP Khalid Abu Bakar on this matter.  

"No, I think it is not proper for him to be tried under the Sedition Act," Musa ( right ) said at a press conference held in Petaling Jaya today.

Meanwhile, on the issues surrounding debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), he said the government has already stated that investigations would be conducted.

"So give them the chance to investigate," he added.

"As for the polemics in the case of Altantuya, investigations showed that there were only three people involved: (former police commandos) Azilah Hadri, Sirul Azhar Umar and (political analyst) Abdul Razak Baginda.

"So if anyone has new information, please make a police report. If a report is lodged, the police will investigate," Musa said.

Musa also pointed out that Mahathir did not accuse anyone and did not say that Najib was involved in the case.

"He just wants answers," he said.

Cannot incite hatred

Khalid last week said that Mahathir had not breached the Sedition Act with his acerbic salvo against Najib on issues of the murder of Altantuya and 1MDB.

Musa also said he did not agree that Mahathir was a "political extremist" for criticising Najib.

"Not everything the government does is correct... the government has weaknesses, too. We can criticise, but it cannot lead to hatred," he said.

Musa had earlier said that political extremism could be seen among those who criticise the other side for whatever they do.

"Such situations are not good. How can we build a country like this?" he said.

He, however, admitted that anyone could criticise the government if he or she thinks the government was not doing something right.

"But you cannot incite others to topple the government or to hate somebody or an institution."

When asked to comment on those who participate in demonstrations, Musa said there was nothing wrong in voicing out dissatisfaction. However, there are ways to do it, he said.

"For example, it you receive permission to only gather but instead you go marching, then that's wrong," he said.

Ex-IGP supports Pota

Musa also expressed his support for the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) stressing the Act will ensure the country's security.

"Just look at how when without the Internal Security Act (ISA), it was as though the police had no bite.

"For me, we need Pota, we need peventive laws. Even the US and Singapore have such laws," he said.

Asked to comment on Pota’s need for detention without trial when the police had successfully nabbed 17 individuals thought to be Islamic State (IS) militants without Pota, Musa said there was no way to determine whether a person was a terrorist or otherwise.

"Determining whether they are terrorists or otherwise needs time. It's not like they have the words 'IS' stamped on their foreheads. And the police need to prove their intentions an d gather evidence before making an arrest.

"So how are they prevented from going overseas to join terrorist groups if there are no preventive laws?" he asked.

Commenting on those from the military and the police joining IS, Musa said such individuals were "traitors".

"During my time, there were no such things. These people now have a misunderstanding of the idea of jihad (struggle).

"The Islamic Affairs Department also needs to provide explanations to young people who have a misunderstanding of jihad," he said.