Trio arrested for sedition after social media remarks against Sultan Muhammad V

(FMT) – Police have confirmed that three individuals who allegedly insulted the monarchy on social media recently were arrested yesterday.

In a statement, Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said Eric Liew Chee Ling, 46; Azham Akhtar Abdullah, 27; and Nur Alia Astaman, 26, were arrested following reports lodged against them over their comments on social media.

All three are being investigated under Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act 1948.

In his statement, Fuzi also cautioned the public against using social media to “manipulate” the resignation of Sultan Muhammad V as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“The public is advised to use social media responsibly and not to put out any statements that are provocative in nature,” he said.

Yesterday, private consulting firm Pemandu Associates suspended an employee with immediate effect over a tweet allegedly posted following Sultan Muhammad’s abdication on Sunday.

The firm joined Tenaga Nasional Bhd and tech firm Cisco Asean which also suspended two employees, reportedly for the same offence.

Meanwhile, the Mediviron Group of Clinics confirmed that a doctor with its Kajang branch, Dr Rupesh Muniandy, had resigned over his remarks against Sultan Muhammad.

Mediviron said Rupesh had made the comments in his personal capacity, and that they did not reflect the views of the group.