[Soolfelpecelf]

Feb 4, 2010
Najib aide probed for sedition
Investigation launched into alleged racist remarks at national unity event
By Elizabeth Looi, Malaysia Correspondent


KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN police are investigating an aide to Prime Minister Najib Razak for sedition, after he allegedly made derogatory remarks against the country's minorities on Tuesday.

A total of 12 police reports have been lodged against Datuk Nasir Safar in various parts of the country, and the police have promised a thorough investigation.

'Let us investigate first. We must gather all the facts and witnesses. Only then would we decide whether to detain him,' said Federal Criminal Investigations Department director Mohd Bakri Zinin.

Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan said the case was being investigated under the Sedition Act.

He told reporters yesterday that police would still only conduct one investigation regardless of the number of police reports made nationwide: 'Since the words were uttered in Malacca, the police there would be responsible for conducting the investigations.'

Mr Nasir, a special officer to the Prime Minister, allegedly made the remarks at a national unity seminar in Malacca.