Bukit Aman corporate communications head A Skandaguru said a report was lodged yesterday after the complainant from Alor Setar came across Sanusi’s speech on YouTube, Berita Harian reported.

Police said it is alleged that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) election director had used harsh words and accused Saifuddin of entering a forest reserve without a permit.

“The complainant considered the statement to be extremely slanderous, and threatening peace and public harmony,” Skandaguru was quoted as saying.

He said the matter will be investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 for improper use of network facilities or service, and Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace.

Meanwhile, Skandaguru said police have also received a total of 1,651 reports of alleged election offences from all six states between July 27 and Aug 10.

The majority were in Selangor (688 reports), followed by Terengganu (314), Kedah (258), Kelantan (236), Negeri Sembilan (116) and Penang (39).

Additionally, he said as many as 4,300 ceramah permits were approved for the six states – 938 in Kedah, Selangor (891), Kelantan (842), Terengganu (728), Negeri Sembilan (466) and Penang (435).