Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has assured that action against those involved in the Low Yat Plaza incident will be colour blind.
"The Home Ministry is colour-blind in enforcing the law. Anyone found guilty will face justice.
"Legal action will be taken against anyone found guilty regardless of race. This includes the individual who stole, the group who beat up people and any online users who spread false news that could incite racial issues," he said in a statement today.
In a separate statement, Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy urged the Home Ministry and inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar to make public the standard operating procedure (SOP) in dealing with riots.
He questioned why the police failed to prevent the brawls at Low Yat, especially since the Bukit Aman police headquarters is only a seven-minute drive from the location.
"The grandeur presence of the police force and Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) commonly seen in most public assemblies were absent this time," he said.
"Given their lacklustre approach in the Low Yat incident, it appears the police is carrying out their duties selectively and further strengthens public conviction that the police force is unaccountable for and unreliable," he added.
'Invoking Sedition Act is worrying'
Sevan is also concerned the government is blaming social media for "whipping up racial sentiments", with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak threatening to take action under the Sedition Act .
"The call by the prime minister to invoke Sedition Act does not condone confidence, if anything, it is extremely worrying," he said.
He reminded the Sedition Act is "draconian, subjective and arbitrary in nature", and that it shouldn't be used against any Malaysians.
Following these concerns, he once again urged the establishment of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) in an effort for greater efficiency and accountability.
Sevan also stressed the need to take immediate actions to end race politics and hate speech following the Low Yat Plaza incident.
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