Son of ex-DPM gives statement on blog post

Tamrin Ghafar speaking to reporters outside the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police today recorded the statement of Tamrin Ghafar, the son of former deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba, over a blog post predicting DAP’s future dominance in Malaysian politics.

Tamrin’s lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali confirmed this to reporters outside Bukit Aman.

“An investigation paper was opened under two sections, namely Section 505(c) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA).

“We have given the police our full cooperation and will continue to do so,” he said.

Section 505(c) of the Penal Code concerns “statements conducing to public mischief” and allows for imprisonment of up to two years, a fine or both upon conviction.

Section 233 of the CMA meanwhile criminalises online content that is “obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person”.

It provides for a fine of not more than RM50,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. An offender can also be fined another RM1,000 for every day that the offence is continued after conviction.

Tamrin and Rafique arrived at Bukit Aman at about 10.40am and left after an hour.

Tamrin had earlier said that making predictions is not a crime, giving the example of weather forecasts and 4D numbers.

“Even the prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim) himself predicted that more people would join or support him. Hence, it should not be an issue,” he said.

Tamrin, in his blog post dated April 4, had written of his concerns and predictions about the country’s politics, particularly DAP’s potential dominance in the coming decade.

He also cautioned against potential repercussions for the Malay community should DAP assume power.

The former Batu Berendam MP said PAS must emerge as a defender of Malay rights and Islam, calling on the Islamic party to foster young leaders committed to national and religious interests.