Adenan’s death spawns 43 police reports, 6 arrests
Police warn social media users against posting lies and defamatory comments.
KUCHING: Six individuals have been called in by police over defamatory comments about the late chief minister, as the week of official mourning for the death of Adenan Satem draws to a close today.
Sarawak police commissioner Mazlan Mansor said the six arrests were made following 43 police reports filed in Sarawak after Adenan’s death last Wednesday.
“I have warned against relying on these devices (social media) for selfish purposes, as we would not be able to help ourselves, and we would end up spreading lies regarding certain individuals,” said Mazlan today at the monthly Sarawak police contingent gathering.
He warned that police would investigate every report and then decide whether charges would be filed.
“I would like to warn again not to play or joke around sensitive matters. The police are always watching,” he said.
The last arrest was of a social media user from Klang, he added.
Last Thursday, Sarawak police worked with Pahang police to arrest a 36-year-old man in Kuantan who had allegedly made defamatory and inflammatory statements on his Facebook page against the late chief minister.
In Mukah, Sarawak, a 17-year-old student was arrested last Saturday, also for an allegedly defamatory comment made on Facebook about Adenan’s passing.
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Most of the cases are being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, says Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department chief Dev Kumar.