Man arrested for posting picture insulting PM in WhatsApp group
THE STAR
JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested a man for sharing a crude photo insulting the Prime Minister in a WhatsApp group.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said that the man was arrested in Kampung Tunku, Petaling Jaya at around 12.15pm on Saturday.
He said the suspect, who goes by the name Pa Ya, had uploaded the photo into a WhatsApp group called “Bicara Politik Melayu”.
“The photo has insulted and hurt the feelings of Malaysians,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
The suspect’s Samsung G5 mobile phone was seized as well, he said.
A police report was lodged at 3.35pm on Friday following the posting of the photo.
Comm Wan Ahmad said that the suspect would be remanded at the Johor Baru court on Sunday for investigations under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or up to a year’s jail, or both upon conviction.
He said that a task force had been formed within the police force to monitor, identify and take action against those who misuse social media.
“I advise the public against misusing social media applications without thinking about the consequences.
“We will not hesitate to take action and eventually charge those who do,” he said.
