Dr Mahathir slams arrest of TMJ critic

JOHOR BARU: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has criticised the arrest of a social media user for allegedly insulting Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim.

Dr Mahathir said he was told thet authorities arrested a social media activist on Thursday night.

He stressed that no Malaysian leaders were free from criticism.

“The rakyat has the freedom to criticise a leader if they have too. Freedom of speech is an important part of a democracy.

“Except for threats, accusations or insults towards ruling rulers, any leader can be criticised without affecting the rakyat’s right to speak out,” he said in a tweet yesterday.

It is learnt that police detained the 36-year-old man at Tampoi police station here at about 8.30pm on Thursday night for allegedly insulting Tunku Ismail.

Meanwhile, Tunku Ismail tweeted that the Johor Palace did not lodge a report, adding that it could have come from other parties.

“This has nothing to do with us and please, in this holy month my family and I want to carry out our duties with the rakyat and worship,” he tweeted.

Separately, in a statement, state police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd confirmed the arrest of the suspect following a police report lodged on May 4.

“A 36-year-old member of the public lodged a report against Twitter account user Pipiyapong that made a posting with statement insulting Tunku Ismail,” he said.

Comm Mohd Khalil said the suspect was picked up on Thursday at around 11.15am in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, and released on police bail yesterday.