PARLIAMENT The police have received 42 reports lodged by members of the public on Ikatan Muslim Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman's statement that the Chinese brought to then-Malaya are "intruders".

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said an investigation paper has been opened under the Sedition Act 1948, and further investigations would be carried out with the cooperation of other government agencies such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

"However, I do not intend to reveal details of the investigation and the action that has been taken, as the case is still being investigated," Zahid said in a written reply to a question from Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut).

Lim had asked for the number of police reports lodged against the Isma president over his statement.

    

He also wanted to know what steps the government would take to prevent statements that encourage ill-will and animosity among the races.

Zahid said the government was clear in taking stern action under existing laws on those found guilty.

"In this matter, the Home Ministry through the police, does not practise 'double standards' in taking action against any individual, group or association," he said.

In a separate written reply to Lim ( left ), Zahid said the number of kidnapping cases in the country had gone down since 2010, following police efforts to curb the crime.

He said in 2010, 34 cases involving 46 victims were recorded, adding that 42 of them were rescued by the police.

He said the following year, the number of victims was recorded at 37, with 32 rescued.

"The number went down further in 2012 with 26 cases involving 28 victims, of which 25 were rescued. Last year, there were 21 victims and all were rescued.

"Up till April this year, there were only five cases involving six victims, and five were rescued," Zahid added.

Lim also wanted to know the statistics for kidnapping cases since 2010, and if the government apologised to the families of the victims who were foreigners.

On the apology, Zahid said it depended on the merits of each case.

- Bernama