Investigations into Keadilan Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor's "treasonous" acts have been completed and the results are now with the Attorney-General's chambers, the Dewan Negara was told today.

"The Attorney-General's chambers will decide if Ezam is to be charged in court under the Sedition Act 1948," said Deputy Home Affairs Minister Zainal Abidin Zin.

"The government views seriously any act of treason and will take stern action against any individual or group that has acted as such."

An Utusan Malaysia report on Oct 25 said that Ezam had during a ceramah in Alor Setar on Oct 23 said that he had made references to the image of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad while he (Ezam) was in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Ezam had later presented himself at the Kota Setar police headquarters where statements were recorded from him regarding the above matter.

Also investigated were the organiser of the ceramah Zulkifli Nayan from PAS and Utusan Malaysia journalist Yusri Sahat.

Zainal was responding to Senator Kassim Mohd Yusop's question on what is being done to deal with cases of treason.

Rule of law

Meanwhile, Senator Rosli Hassan asked Zainal what steps the ministry was taking to monitor cases of treason outside as well as within the country, and mentioned Operasi Lalang as an example.

In 1987, the government launched a crackdown, codenamed Operasi Lalang, against dissidents and detained more than 100 social activists, politicians and religious activists under the Internal Security Act.

Zainal said, "In Malaysia, we follow the rule of law and respect the constitutional rights of the people.

"We study what has been uttered and if there is no danger posed to the country, we do not take action."