KUALA LUMPUR: Police have recorded a statement from Beruas member of Parliament, Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, in connection with an investigation on interference in Islamic affairs.
Without revealing the date, federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zin confirmed the matter, adding that Ngeh, along with 66 other individuals, had been summoned to assist in the investigation.
He said Ngeh is the only individual being investigated in this case.
"Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham is the only person whose statement has been taken. So far, no other individual is being investigated, except for witnesses related to this case," he told Berita Harian today.
Shuhaily said statements from a total of 66 witnesses have been recorded, including the complainants who filed the police reports and media representatives who covered the news on the issue.
"The case is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. As of now, there are 70 police reports related to this issue, and the investigation is ongoing," he said.
On January 4, Shuhaily confirmed the investigation of two individuals over their statements concerning the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI).
The police did not reveal the identities of the individuals under investigation.
However, on Dec 30, Ngeh reportedly apologised after suggesting that non-Muslim constitutional experts be appointed to the Special Committee to Study the Competence of the State Legislative Assembly in Enacting Islamic Laws.
The DAP MP said he had no intention of interfering in Islamic affairs with his proposal, which was later withdrawn. He claimed to be unaware that the special committee was actually formed by the MKI, chaired by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Earlier, Sultan Sharafuddin, in his capacity as the chairman of MKI, reminded the public, especially non-Muslims, to respect and not interfere in matters related to Islamic affairs in the country.
