KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's top cop has reminded the public to refrain from touching on race, religion and royalty (3R) issues ahead of the Mahkota by-election.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain urged the public to always abide by the laws and to refrain from touching on any sensitive matters including 3R issues.

"We do not want anyone touching on such issues which could threaten public order and cause disharmony," he said when contacted on Saturday.

He added that with over 1,000 police personnel deployed for by-election there, they were adequately prepared for the by-election.

"All preparations have been made and we are ever-ready to maintain public order and ensure public safety throughout the process.

"These policemen have been deployed for the entire process, including the nomination of candidates, early voting and polling day.

"They will be on the ground to ensure the entire process runs smoothly so that voters can go out and exercise their right to vote without any untoward incidents occurring," he said.

The Mahkota by-election will be held on Sept 28 with early voting set for Sept 24.

The by-election was triggered by the passing of the seat's incumbent, Umno's Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain on Aug 2.

In the 2022 state polls, Sharifah won the Mahkota state seat for BN in a four-cornered fight with a 5,166 vote-majority.

The by-election for the Mahkota state seat in Johor will see a straight fight between Barisan Nasional's Syed Hussein Syed Abdullah and Perikatan Nasional's Mohammad Haizan Jaafar.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/09/1105575/igp-warns-against-3r-issues-mahkota-election