Cops record statement from retiree with Hebrew-language sticker on vehicle

MELAKA: Melaka police have recorded a statement from a retired civil servant who had a Hebrew-language sticker on his four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the 59-year-old man admitted that he got the sticker from a shop in Selangor 13 years ago.

He said the owner of the vehicle had an interest in foreign scripts.

“He once saw a Hebrew phrase ‘Israel Betainu’, meaning ‘Israel is our home’ and adapted it by changing ‘Israel’ to ‘Malaysia’, becoming ‘Malizia Beiteinu’, meaning ‘Malaysia is our home’,” he added.

Dzulkhairi said the investigation is ongoing, including seeking the views of language experts.

He added the man, who retired four years ago, also lodged a police report after photos of the vehicle went viral on social media.

The case is being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for causing public fear and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Sinar Harian reported that a video showing the 4WD vehicle with the Hebrew-language sticker had gone viral.

Following this, the Melaka Chief Minister’s religious officer Hairul Amin Madon lodged a police report at the Merlimau police station.