Agency working with police to track culprits behind blog said to have insulted Prophet Muhammad - malaysiakini

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is working with the police to trace the people behind a blog said to have insulted Prophet Muhammad.

MCMC chairman Datuk Dr Halim Shafie said investigations were under way to identify the culprits."The commission and the police will get to the bottom of the matter," he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had asked the Home Ministry and police to act fast.

He said the matter had to be nipped in the bud or it could lead to problems in the country.
Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek had said the woman, whose photograph and identity had been used in the blog, had denied owning the Internet domain.

The woman, in her 20s, was said to have met him two weeks ago to ask the ministry to help clear her name over the matter.

Bernama reports that police had recorded a statement from the woman.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said yesterday the woman was picked up at her house in Kota Damansara at 6pm on Saturday to assist in the investigation and was later released on police bail.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) said it would take stern action against bloggers, including non-Muslims, who insulted Islam.

"Right now, the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are trying to trace the blogger said to have insulted Prophet Muhammad," said director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz.

"We will come in once the culprit is traced."

He added that Jakim had formed a unit within its media and research division to monitor bloggers, news portals as well as the electronic and print media.

Co-operation with the police had been stepped up with the exchange of information between the two on inflammatory and irresponsible articles.