KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 — Malaysians should exercise caution when commenting on Islam and hudud, as their criticism could provoke Islamic State (IS) militants into retaliating, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said today.

The country’s highest-ranking police officer was reported in Malaysiakini as reminding the public that Malaysia is already facing a threat from the outlawed terrorist group, and that according to intelligence reports, an attack is being planned here.

“I would like to remind (the public) who make comments on Islam and hudud not to simply comment, (because) you are inviting retaliation from IS supporters,” he was quoted saying at an event today.

On Sunday, Khalid had warned on Twitter that the police will investigate those who publicly issue comments on sensitive religious matters if they are not experts on the subject.

The national police chief said the police view these comments “seriously” and have “no choice” but to launch the probes.

Shortly after his comment, human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen was hauled up for questioning over his comments on hudud.

Khalid has since been criticised for trying to prohibit public discourse on religion, with lawmakers and lawyers pointing out that the IGP himself and the police are in no position to determine who is or isn’t a religious expert.

Such ad hoc prohibition, lawyers added, would never work as existing laws do not criminalise layman talk on religion.

“Criminal laws, such as the Penal Code, do not make it an offence for non-experts (in the words of the IGP) to comment on religion,” civil liberties lawyer Syahredzan Johan told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

“This is a new threshold of standard which the IGP has come out with, which has no basis in law,” he added.

Last week, Islamist party PAS tabled and passed amendments to Kelantan’s Shariah Criminal Code II 1993, a move that is meant to pave the way for the implementation of hudud in the state.

Since then, social media has been abuzz with comments and criticisms against the move, which detractors of the law have insisted is in violation of the Federal Constitution.

Business radio station BFM last week launched a satirical video on hudud, which later resulted in death and rape threats against its presenter Aisyah Tajuddin and other staff members.

The police have since announced a probe on both the video makers and Aisyah, as well as their intimidators.