The MCA Youth legal bureau has expressed disappointment with Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's claim that the so-called reward offered for slapping Seputeh MP Teresa Kok for her video does not warrant investigation.
 
In a press statement today, bureau head Eric Choo said neither Zahid nor the police had the authority to decide whether those who offered the bounty had committed an offence, or not.
 
"The home minister ought to be reminded that the police scope of duty and responsibility is merely to investigate and thereafter, the decision and duty to prosecute falls upon the Attorney-General's Chambers.
 
"It is thus our humble view that the home minister should refrain from making statements that can affect the case. The home minister must let, if not facilitate, the law and procedures to take their course," Choo said.
 
Yesterday, Zahid told reporters that the bounty offered by a group of Islamic NGOs does not constitute a threat .
 
"Slapping is not a threat. If they say murder, then it is a threat," he said, adding that the police will only take action if the assault threat is actually carried out.

However, lawyer Sankara Nair maintains that slapping a person is a crime and is punishable under Section 323 of the Penal Code.

"If you think you can collect RM1,200 and walk away with impunity, you are wrong. Consider the punishment under the section for offenders. You can be fined RM2,000 or jailed for one year or both," he said in a text message to Malaysiakini .

"Those with any bright ideas out there and wanting to take the offer of the irrational NGO will end up being net losers.

"So think again. Don't be misled by the NGO that did not tell you the full consequences - which includes imprisonment," Sankara added.

 

The RM500 bounty, which was later increased to RM1,200, was offered by Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) activist Mustafa Hamzah on Feb 6, during a protest by several Muslim NGOs.
 
The groups had protested against Kok's Chinese New Year video message that lampooned several key personalities in government, including the prime minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor.
 
According to the groups, the video is an "insult" to Malay leadership, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Islam and Malay dignity.