KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — Malaysian police have arrested seven men in connection with social media posts deemed seditious, threatening, or insulting towards national leaders, authorities confirmed today.
The arrests, carried out by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) through the Classified Criminal Investigation Unit (USJT), Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department, followed investigations into videos and posts shared on TikTok and Facebook between September 17 and October 5.
“The Royal Malaysia Police has conducted investigations and made arrests in connection with seven cases involving the dissemination of videos on TikTok and Facebook,” said Comm Datuk M. Kumar, director of the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department, in a press statement.
The cases involve users allegedly posting content ranging from comments insulting the government and national leaders, to threats and statements capable of causing public alarm.
Among them, one TikTok user allegedly posted material relating to fuel subsidies, while another uploaded a post containing threats directed at national leaders.
“These cases are being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Sections 504 and 505(b) of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,” Comm Kumar said.
He added that police records show that one suspect in his 40s has 19 prior drug-related offences, while another in his 60s had previously been investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
All seven suspects were placed under remand for one to three days to assist with further investigation.
PDRM issued a stern warning to the public, emphasising that “any form of social media misuse or digital content that may incite sedition, threats, insults, or public alarm will not be tolerated.”
The force urged citizens to “remain courteous, disciplined, and responsible in posting or sharing any statements on social media platforms to avoid legal action and to maintain public harmony.”
