Two weeks ago, Johor Bahru was awash with rumours about SMSes which warned that on National Day, racial violence would occur in Pasir Gudang. Whatever the initial SMS said, its malicious falsehood soon morphed into various variations. These SMSes were enough to cause uneasiness among the public.

The police, particularly Johor acting police chief Mohamad Mokhtar Mohamad Sharif, must be commended for the quick and swift action they took and also for arresting four suspects (so far) who allegedly had spread the inflammatory text messages.

It is also comforting to note that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi views seriously the transmission of racial incitement through SMSes and e-mail and warns that punitive action would be taken against those guilty. However, concern by itself is not enough.

Last year, an SMS made it rounds alleging that Malay children would be baptised at a church in Ipoh. That SMS was enough for some ignorant groups to mobilise a mob to descend at the entrance of the church and terrorise the churchgoers. In the aftermath, police took statements from, among others, the mufti of Perak who alleged that a woman had met him and told of the baptism. Pursuant thereto, a woman was arrested.

Till today the public and particularly Catholics, wonder what has happened to this case and why this woman has yet to be charged. Thus, the prime minister's warning about stern action against rumour-mongers remains just mere talk. One has to walk the talk.