LETTER | The respected Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador had warned that spreading false allegations that have racial or religious frenzy laced with such intent should be stopped.

Despite the wisdom in his nationwide warning, we have politicians totally ignoring the advice.

Puteri Umno vice-chief Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi is reported to have claimed, in a ceramah last night, that the man whom police shot (in Penang) had gone amok after two people allegedly insulted the Prophet Muhammad.

Making such public claim, especially before political party supporters, is deadly for a country that has still much to learn from its 1969 tragedy.

Many concerned citizens will agree that politicians have a categorical duty to abide by our national security men's warnings.

If politicians can publicly fire up the sentiments of their supporters with serious racial and religious animosity, what is there to stop fanatics and ultra-leftists from wreaking havoc on the social media and eventually leading to public disorder?

The politician is reported to have said "Yesterday a martyr was laid to rest", referring to Sheikh Mohd Khairil who was shot when he attacked the cops on duty.

Those are very, very strong and emotively charged words. In a climate where extremism is high and tolerance flowing thinner, we certainly cannot afford such public statements.

Hopefully, the government of the day will put a stop to politicians sowing dangerous seeds of divisibility and religious rage.

Drastic punishment must be meted out.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.