We investigate only after Teresa has been slapped, says Zahid

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed the monetary offer by an Islamic non-governmental organisation to anyone who first slaps Seputeh MP Teresa Kok as a threat.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno vice-president, was quoted in The Malaysian Insider as saying that “there was nothing to investigate as it is not a threat”.

He just waved off the need for the authorities to investigate the offer.

“Slapping is not a threat. If they say murder, then it is a threat,” the home minister was quoted by the portal as saying at a function at Kajang prison.

Ahmad Zahid said police will only take action if the slapping happened.

"If they slap her, then we will take action. The slapping thing is between her and that group," the home minister was quoted to have said.

It was reported that several Muslim NGOs had protested at Jalan Tun Perak, with Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) activist Mustafa Hamzah offering a monetary reward to the first person who  successfully slaps Kok.

Kok had lodged a police report on the matter yesterday. Several lawyers, when contacted, also said that such offer constitutes a criminal act as it is part of criminal intimidation under Section 503 and 505 of the Penal Code.

Police indicated that they have classified the case under Section 505(c) for public mischief with intent to incite anyone to commit any offence, and Section 506 for criminal intimidation.

Ahmad Zahid, however, noted that Kok's Chinese New Year video is being investigated as well since there had been more than 300 reports lodged against the clip.

“The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) have started a probe on this. We will collect all the reports and will look into it,” he added.

On Thursday, besides the slapping threat, the NGOs also slaughtered four chickens and smeared the blood on banners which bore the images of Pakatan Rakyat leaders.