The right of freedom of speech should not be used as an excuse to legitimise action or statement which is seditious in nature which can threaten peace and public security.

 

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said despite the numerous police warnings on the matter, some still persisted on committing it.

 

"I have warned may times especially political leaders and non-government organisations to be careful when expressing opinions and views specifically on the social media because it can result in a situation which threatens public security.

 

"I feel now I don't want to give warnings but instead any individual who breaks any rule will be immediately dealt with. And they should not seek cover behind freedom of speech," he said.

 

Khalid was speaking in a special interview with the media in conjunction with the 208th Police Day Memorial yesterday. The event is to be celebrated on March 25.

 

Commenting on claims he was trying to curb freedom of speech when giving a directive via his Twitter account for action to be taken against any individual who made seditious statements, Khalid said it was necessary to prevent the spread of such statements.

 

"My aim in issuing the directive via Twitter is for fast action against sedition and the spread of untruths.

 

"I think this method is effective to prevent society from being influenced by untruths which should be immediately stopped," he said.

 

Rules governing rallies

 

Police, he said, always respected the right of freedom of speech but the freedom had its limit specifically for a multi-racial and multi-religious country like Malaysia.

 

"Sometimes, society wants the police to act fast but when I do so some say I contravened the right of freedom of speech," he said.

 

Khalid said based on the observation of the police, there was a reduction in seditious activity via the social sites at the moment, and hoped it would continue, and no more quarters would abuse the platform.

 

Touching on a report related to the organisation of gatherings to press him to step down from his post, Khalid said: "Regardless of their intention in asking me to resign, there are rules and laws governing a gathering."

 

He also clarified that, it would still be regarded as flouting the law if no permission was obtained from the owner of a place but the organisers still went ahead with holding a gathering.

 

- Bernama