ANYONE stirring up issues pertaining to race, religion and royalty (3R) will face severe punishment, warned Inspector General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

He said action will be carried out by the police’s 3R Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was created on March 20.

He added that since the formation of the SIT, a total of 18 investigation papers had been opened.

The investigations were carried out in accordance with Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 298A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

“The police take the 3R issues seriously, especially those who post issues on social media.

“This is to ensure that the harmony of Malaysian society is preserved, and the well-being of our country is guaranteed,” he said after hosting a high tea ceremony in Bukit Aman today.

He said investigations involving 3R would be done quickly to ensure harmony in the country was preserved. 

On another matter, Acryl said the government had handled the “Allah” issue well.

“I believe the issue has been resolved well. I think it’s good to end there, with no further issues raised.

“We leave it to the government to resolve this matter… I believe there will be a briefing to the Council of Rulers,” he said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the cabinet would present proposals to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on protecting the use of the word “Allah” and strengthening racial and religious unity in the country.

He said this following the fallout from the federal government’s decision to withdraw its appeal against the court’s verdict in the “Allah” case.  

Putrajaya first filed an appeal over a High Court ruling that allowed non-Muslims to use the word “Allah” and three other words in a religious context on March 12, 2021.  

The Attorney-General’s Chambers, representing the Home Ministry, notified the Court of Appeal on April 18 that it did not wish to pursue the appeal.

On Tuesday, Saifuddin had confirmed that Putrajaya had withdrawn the appeal, resulting in major criticism from Muslim groups. – May 18, 2023.