Police to Seek Academic Opinion in Investigation Into Tony Pua’s Remarks
KAJANG: Police will seek the opinion of a constitutional law academic expert to assist investigations into a social media post involving former Damansara MP Tony Pua, which allegedly touched on sensitive issues related to the monarchy and the Rukun Negara.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director M. Kumar said the academic’s statement is scheduled to be recorded on June 3 before the investigation paper is finalised.
According to him, the expert’s input is required to obtain an academic perspective regarding issues involving the Constitutional Monarchy system and the Rukun Negara raised in the Facebook post.
Police Have Received 120 Reports
M. Kumar said police have so far received 120 reports nationwide related to the case.
In addition, statements from 95 witnesses have already been recorded to facilitate the ongoing investigation.
“We will record a statement from a constitutional law academic expert on June 3 before completing the investigation paper,” he said during a press conference at the Kajang District Police Headquarters.
Investigation Conducted Under Two Laws
The case is being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for causing public alarm and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Police had earlier opened an investigation paper and recorded a statement from Tony Pua at the Shah Alam District Police Headquarters last Thursday following the circulation of the social media post.
In the post, he was alleged to have stated that Malaysia practises a Constitutional Monarchy system in which the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong are generally limited to specific constitutional functions.
Constitutional Monarchy Debate Draws Attention
The case has attracted public attention because it touches on the Constitutional Monarchy system, which forms a key pillar of Malaysia’s governance structure.
Political and legal observers view the police decision to obtain an academic opinion as an effort to ensure the investigation is conducted comprehensively while taking constitutional interpretation and legal considerations into account.
Issues involving the monarchy and the Rukun Negara are widely regarded as sensitive matters due to their connection to national unity, constitutional stability and the country’s foundational principles.
