He said police had opened an investigation paper under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code (making statements likely to cause fear or alarm to the public) and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (improper use of network facilities).

“So far, 17 witnesses have had their statements recorded in connection with the investigation into Tang over his statement regarding the abolition of the matriculation programme and the use of STPM as the sole standard for admission to public universities,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.

He was responding to Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan), who had asked about the progress of the investigation into Tang, and whether any action had been taken against Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Salleh for proposing to abolish vernacular schools.

On Sept 16, Bukit Aman criminal investigation department  director M Kumar said an investigation had been opened after five reports were lodged against Tang over his remarks about the matriculation programme.

Tang had said the STPM syllabus was better since it was more challenging and was internationally recognised.

However, Umany said it had not intended to call for the abolition of the matriculation programme, but had sought a merger of the programme with STPM as the sole university entrance qualification.

It admitted that the use of the word “abolish” in its earlier statement had led to confusion and rubbed certain quarters the wrong way, and apologised for the confusion caused.

As for Akmal’s statement on abolishing vernacular schools, Saifuddin said police checks found that no reports had been lodged over the matter.