ABDUL Aziz Isa, the special assistant to Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen, has been released after police arrested him this afternoon over an allegedly insulting Facebook post,

Sarawak police commissioner Amer Awal said Aziz, who is also a grandnephew of Sarawak governor Taib Mahmud, was released on police bail after police had recorded his statement.

Amer said a police report was lodged earlier today at the Sekama police station over a Facebook posting that allegedly dishonoured and insulted one of the country’s late leaders.

“After studying the posting, the police took the decision to investigate the report under Section 504 of the Penal Code and Section 233(1)(a) of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC ) Act,” Amer said.

The 28 year-old Aziz was arrested when he surrendered himself at the Kuching police headquarters.

Section 504 of the Penal Code deals with intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, while Section 233 (1)(a) of the MCMC Act 1998 deals with improper use of network facilities or network service.

Amer said police had seized Aziz’s smart phone as part of their investigation.

Chong and another special assistant, KelvinYii, had accompanied Aziz to the station.

Chong, who is also the Sarawak Pakatan Harapan chairman, said on Facebook that the charge over “some unpleasant remarks about the prime minister”.

“The police claimed that they do not require a warrant to effect the arrest and also refused a lawyer to be present for the interrogation. 

“It is a big irony that on this Malaysia Day, the rights of the people to comment against our political leaders is so much suppressed as if there is no rights of expression amongst the rakyat. 

“It is a shame that the administration of the country has to resort to police oppression to suppress the voices of dissent.” – September 16, 2017.