Officers from the Melaka Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) detained the 37-year-old, who avoided a jail sentence on a charge of sedition last month, over a lecture he delivered at a mosque in Bukit Beruang on July 14.

JAIM director Md Azhan Samad said Wan Ji was detained because he did not have a teaching permit under Section 70 of the Syariah Offences Enactment (Melaka) 1991.

He was released at 1pm today on a RM4,000 bond.

When contacted, Wan Ji said he had obtained permission from the Melaka chief minister’s office and his presence was known to Melaka Islamic Affairs Council deputy chairman Sofi Wahab.

Wan Ji said one of the officers who detained him was “closely associated with PAS and Isma”.

“He told me that I would have to appear at the shariah court to be prosecuted.

“I relayed my experience to the Melaka CM’s office and they were shocked. They helped me out until I was freed.”

This is the second time Wan Ji has got into trouble in Melaka.

On July 21, a group of protesters gathered outside a mosque in Durian Tunggal, demanding him to stop his lecture.

Wan Ji was convicted of a sedition charge over his online posting questioning the Selangor sultan’s position as head of Islam.

He has obtained a stay pending an appeal.