HOME Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail reminded political parties involved in the coming state elections to stay away from sensitive issues involving religion, royalty and race (3R). 

He said if such matters were raised during the state elections, the police will take action against offenders under the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

“Political parties are free to give differing views against the ruling government so long as they do not touch on aspects of 3R. 

“Politicking the 3R style is the current trend which I don’t see receding and I believe it will continue during the state polls,” he said in an exclusive media editor session with the Home Minister at the Home Ministry Complex in Putrajaya recently.

Six states, namely Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Penang, Kedah and Terengganu will be holding state elections soon.

Commenting further, Saifuddin said such actions will be monitored by the 3R special team established since March.

“I believe that police leadership under Razarudin Husain, the newly appointed Inspector-General, will focus on the trend (politics using 3R issues),” he said.

When asked to comment on the state election preparations in the six states concerned, he said the police are always on standby and has a standard operating procedure (SOP) to face the election.

“The SOP guarantees the safety of the people to go out to vote, besides ensuring that there is no violation of the law, especially during the state polls,” he said. – Bernama, June 22, 2023.