Facebook user remanded over postings, to be sent to Sibu
KUCHING: A Facebook user was remanded for four days yesterday over his alleged seditious and defamatory postings on social media over the demise of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
The 54-year- old, who was picked up by police from his house at RPR Landeh here around midnight yesterday, will be sent to Sibu in connection with a report lodged against him there the previous night.
“The suspect arrested early this morning ( yesterday) has been remanded for four days until January 15. He will be escorted to Sibu and investigated by Sibu CID in connection with a report lodged at Sungei Merah police station,” said state CID chief Datuk Dev Kumar when contacted yesterday.
“The case is investigated as defamation under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.”
The suspect, whose mobile phone was seized as part of the investigation, is one of the Facebook account holders who were reported to the police by various quarters over alleged defamatory postings or comments made following Adenan’s passing on Wednesday.
As of 5pm yesterday, Dev Kumar revealed that police had received 32 reports from 11 districts across the state.
Meanwhile, a man from Pahang was the second person arrested yesterday for similar seditious remarks posted on social media.
Dev Kumar said the individual, 36, was detained in Kuantan at 5pm by police there following information provided by CID personnel here ( Kuching).
“A CID team from here will leave for Kuantan tomorrow (today) to escort the suspect back here,” he said, adding the suspect’s mobile phone had also been seized for investigation purposes.
“We are investigating six of the reports, and have already arrested two individuals while working to identify and arrest the remaining Facebook account holders.”
He warned netizens to be on their best behaviour during the mourning period as the police were monitoring social media sites.
“We will not hesitate to arrest anyone posting defamatory or inflammatory comments against the late chief minister, or any other person for that matter,” he said.