KUALA LUMPUR – Police have confirmed the arrest of a local man in connection with the publishing of the controversial book Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance, and Hope in New Malaysia.
In a statement, criminal investigation department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the 58-year-old suspect was arrested at the Immigration Department office in Kelana Jaya, Selangor yesterday.
Shuhaily said the man was arrested while he was renewing his passport at the office and was released the following day after his remand order ended.
He added that the case was being investigated by the department under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 8(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“Our probe is still underway and the public is reminded against making any speculation that could affect the investigation process,” he said.
“The public is also advised to be mindful and vigilant towards sensitive issues, especially those involving national security and sovereignty.”
Yesterday, the lawyer of Kean Wong, the book editor behind the 2020 publication, said he was arrested by the authorities after attempting to renew his passport at the said location.
He had entered the country via Kuala Lumpur International Airport last week, after being abroad for three years prior to the arrest.
Wong’s work, which was published by the Strategic Information and Research Development Centre, had come under scrutiny by the authorities after its cover featured an altered image of the national coat of arms (Jata Negara), deemed insulting, prompting over 200 police reports to be lodged on the matter.
In July 2020, Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department launched a probe into Wong and 28 co-authors as well as the publisher, following the police reports.
At the time, the case was investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Preventing Unlawful Use) (Amendment) Act 2016, Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act, Section 8(1) of the Printing Presses and Publication Act, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
However, Wong reportedly left the country in January 2020, stalling subsequent investigations. – October 17, 2023