A 39-year-old man wanted by police over several Facebook posts allegedly containing seditious and insulting elements targeting the royal institution, the Malaysian government and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has been arrested.
Kemaman District Police Chief Superintendent Mohd Razi Rosli said the suspect was arrested in Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, last Wednesday.
Police also seized a mobile phone and two SIM cards believed to have been used to publish the alleged posts on Facebook. The devices were subsequently handed over to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for digital forensic analysis.
Mohd Razi said the suspect has been remanded until Wednesday to assist investigations. Authorities are investigating the case under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 or Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Police had earlier opened an investigation after the Facebook account holder allegedly uploaded posts containing seditious and insulting remarks involving the royal institution, the Malaysian government and security agencies.
According to Mohd Razi, preliminary investigations found that the suspect allegedly made the posts after becoming dissatisfied with an integrated operation carried out by the Kemaman District Police Headquarters (IPD) at Pantai Penunjuk, Kijal, at around 6.30pm on Aug 14.
The arrest comes as authorities continue examining the contents and digital evidence linked to the Facebook account to determine whether any offences were committed.
