KUALA LUMPUR - Police have recorded a total of 182 cases of insult to the royal institution from 2020 until May, this year.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said based on the statistics, 46 individuals were arrested for allegedly making statements insulting the institution.
He said in 2020, there were 66 cases 58 of which were investigated by the Bukit Aman Classified Crime Investigation Unit and eight at the contingent level which involved the arrest of 21 individuals.
"In 2021, there were 23 arrests made and a total of 105 cases received, of which 74 cases were investigated by the unit while 31 cases were investigated at the contingent level.
"As of May this year, 11 cases were reported and have been investigated by the unit involving two arrests," he told Sinar Harian when met at Bukit Aman, recently.
Abd Jalil said he found that the individuals had insulted the royal institution as they were influenced by the freedom of speech as well as the outsider’s way of thinking.
"They are using social media as a platform to create hatred among the people against the royal institution," he said.
He said in a multi-racial country, the Malaysian society regardless of their race must respect the royal institution.
"If anyone disrespects the rights of a person or a community who are proud of the royal institution, it means that they have denied the rights of the majority who respect the royal institution.
"For the authorities, freedom of speech has its limits, we need to know how to differentiate between what is right and wrong.
"These people were influenced by the adaptation of external influences and changes that occur in society in addition to the excitement of rationalism value that comes from outside of the country.
"For example, the right to freedom on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issue. We would like to remind that the majority of the people in this country do not agree with the group's agenda because if it is widespread in this country, it will damage the family system," he said.
RESPECT THE LAW
Abd Jalil added that people must respect the existing laws that were agreed upon in the constitution since the independence to avoid chaos.
He warned that if such provocation was not curbed, it would be difficult to appease the issue.
"Therefore, we advise the public not to cause provocation among the society in the country.
"Respect the freedom of religion and respect the rights of the majority in Malaysia.
"Investigations and arrests will be carried out accordingly in line with the provisions of the existing law,” he said.
He advised social media users to be responsible and be aware of the dangers of social media abuse.
"Be careful before spreading information on social media by being responsible and ethical.
"To me, using the sports or political platforms in seeking for popularity is an irresponsible act.
"People should be responsible for the things they write on social media. Avoid writing things without checking the facts because it could lead to defamation,” he said.
Therefore, he reminded the public to respect the royal institution because it has proven to be successful in uniting the multi-racial community in this country.