KUALA LUMPUR – The police have denied keeping PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli’s mobile phone as intimidation, explaining that it was part of the investigation process.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the matter was part of the investigation process for offences under the Penal Code (Act 574) and the Communications and Multimedia Act (Act 588) to enable forensics analysis.
“The device will be returned after the analysis and investigation are completed,” he said in a statement tonight.
Rafizi had been called to have his statement recorded on September 3 to facilitate investigations after a police report was lodged about a statement that went viral on social media. The statement allegedly slandered Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad, he explained.
The IGP added that the phone along with the sim card believed to have been used to upload the post had been taken for investigation and kept by the police for digital forensics analysis.
He added that the police were also investigating a police report lodged against Latiff and his statement hds been recorded. He said investigations related to both reports were being conducted professionally without any form of pressure as alleged by certain parties.
“The public is reminded not to make any speculation that could disrupt the investigations and to provide the police room to complete their investigation papers,” he said.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged the IGP in a media statement today to stop pressuring and harassing Rafizi after police seized his mobile phone while he was providing his statement regarding the allegations against Latiff. – Bernama, September 5, 2022
