Police open inquiry paper on Ngeh over 'sensitive' statement

THE POLICE have opened an inquiry paper regarding an allegedly sensitive statement made by Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham on the issue that was related to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI).

Perak Police Chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the classification means that all reports received are submitted to the Kuantan district police headquarters (IPD) since the first report on the matter was lodged there.

He was reported by Sinar Harian as saying that thus far a total of 16 police reports have been made in Perak against the DAP leader.

"We have received 16 reports, the investigation has started, and is being carried out under the inquiry paper," he was quoted as saying.

Ngeh’s house in Ayer Tawar town near Ipoh was attacked with a Molotov cocktail at about 2.50am yesterday.

The porch of his house and three cars were burnt. No one was injured.

The flames were prevented from spreading to the rest of his house due to quick action by the police and the Fire and Rescue Department.

At a press conference later, Ngeh pointed to politicians from rival parties who had “manipulated” a statement he had made on December 28 by falsely giving a picture that he was interfering in Muslim affairs and even claiming that he was anti-Islamic.

He said that he had given his views based on the Federal Constitution, and that they painted it as though he was questioning Islamic law.

“When I saw that my suggestion had been manipulated… that was why I retracted and apologised,” he said.

“We must not allow such groups to manipulate the emotions of the public.

“Lower your voice, increase your reason, not your emotion,” he said. “I have never been anti-Islamic. It has been proven in court.”

Ngeh had reportedly called for the government to include non-Muslim experts in the special committee to study the competence of the state legislative assembly in enacting Islamic laws.

On December 29, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, reminded the people, especially non-Muslims, to respect and not to interfere in matters related to Islam in the country.

Sultan Sharafuddin, who is the chairman of the MKI, said that the council is entrusted with the responsibility to oversee all matters related to the Muslim community. He added that it consists of experts knowledgeable in various fields, particularly those involving Islamic law and religion.

The sultan also took note of a statement issued by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook on Ngeh’s suggestion.

Loke had asserted that Ngeh’s proposal was a mistake and misunderstanding about the committee’s source of power, adding that DAP is committed to upholding the principle of mutual respect and harmony among religions and ethnicities. – The Vibes, January 11, 2024