HUMAN rights and social activist Sarajun Hoda has been arrested around 7pm tonight.

Sarajun’s last message to Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy at 7.15pm was :“Police in my House now. ASP Khairol arresting me now. Sec 298 Penal Code and 233 Multimedia Act. They are taking me to IPD Dang Wangi”.

“Please tweet,” the former Aliran exco member and former Bersih deputy chairman said.

The message was posted by Caged activist Thomas Fann on Sarajun’s Facebook wall.

Section 298 of the Penal Code makes it illegal to utter words that could hurt the religious feelings of another person while Section 233 of the Multimedia Act states it is an offence to use network services to transmit any communication that is deemed offensive.

A person could be fined up to RM50,000 or a maximum of one year in jail if found guilty under Section 233 of the Multimedia Act.

Another Aliran member, Christopher Chong, has confirmed the arrest with The Malaysian Insight.

It is not known what Sarajun is being arrested for.

Aliran said it was concerned that its member Sarajun was arrested tonight.

“We are told he has been taken to the Dang Wangi Police Station.

“The reason for his arrest is unclear but it is believed he was detained under Section 298 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

“We call on the authorities to state the reason for his arrest and to allow him immediate access to a lawyer. He must also be allowed access to any medication he may need,” said the Aliran executive committee in a statement. – January 29, 2018.