PETALING JAYA: Graphic designer and activist Fahmi Reza was arrested today over a caricature of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s “Keluarga Malaysia” concept and later freed on police bail.
Fahmi had said earlier today that he had been detained at the Wangsa Maju district police headquarters since 4pm after questioning over his cartoon.
However, this evening he said he had been freed on police bail.
“The police confiscated my phone, took my fingerprints and photograph, like I’m a criminal.
“They (police) wanted to take my DNA sample. I didn’t allow it. They decided to release me on police bail. No need to sleep in a lockup tonight!” he said in an online posting.
He said police had informed him that they had opened an investigation paper. Fahmi said the investigation was under “#AktaSakitHati”, which is believed to be in reference to the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA).
He was arrested after being questioned about a poster on “Keluarga Malaysia”, with a caricature of prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“This is the first time I am being investigated over the prime minister’s #KeluargaMalaysia drawing,” Fahmi said earlier.
Fahmi’s lawyer Rajsurian Pillai said the investigation was being conducted over an alleged intentional insult to provoke a breach of peace.
“Keluarga Malaysia” (Malaysian Family) is a political approach adopted by Ismail in his maiden speech as prime minister last month when he urged all MPs to set aside their differences and work together.
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