Mataram Section Police Chief Taufik was quoted by online media as saying that police detained the Malaysian, identified as Mohamad Tarmizi Mohamad Nordin, 50, at a hotel in Kota Mataram yesterday, following a tip-off.
The Malaysian was found at the hotel lobby wearing a T-shirt with the communist symbol, he said.
According to Taufik, when questioned, Tarmizi said he was not aware of the Indonesian government’s ban on the communist symbol.
He said the police seized the T-shirt and released him after giving him a warning.
Tarmizi was in Mataram on business and police did not find any other communist-related items on him, said Taufik.