Police today confirmed that it has launched an investigation against senior DAP leader Tony Pua for allegedly insulting the royal institution through a posting on his social media account. - NSTP file pic
Police today confirmed that it has launched an investigation against senior DAP leader Tony Pua for allegedly insulting the royal institution through a posting on his social media account. - NSTP file pic

KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has confirmed that DAP politician Tony Pua will be summoned for questioning over his remarks on the Pardons Board's decision to reduce Datuk Seri Najib Razak's prison sentence and fine.

Razarudin said investigations had been initiated into Pua's Facebook statements.

"The statements appear to incite the public to hate and insult the royal institution and undermine the absolute power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in carrying out his constitutional duties under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution.

"Pua will be called to Bukit Aman to assist in the investigation at 1pm tomorrow.

"The Criminal Investigation Unit is probing the case under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998," he said in a statement today.

He urged the public not to speculate or share inaccurate information that might disrupt the investigative process or create disharmony in the nation.

"The case is still under investigation. Stringent action will be taken against any party acting in any manner that could jeopardise public order and national security."

Pua recently took to Facebook to criticise the Pardons Board's decision on Najib. The board was chaired by former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Pua posted a series of cryptic messages on his Facebook account, including one that read, "I beg your pardon?"

Today, Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Adam called on the Home Ministry and police to take action against Pua under the Sedition Act for allegedly disrespecting the Pardons Boards's decision.

Lokman argued that Pua's statements insulted the former king and disrespected his decision.

The Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced Najib's prison sentence from 12 to six years and the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.

Najib was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million after being found guilty of abuse of power, breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).