POLITICAL cartoonist Fahmi Reza, who was detained overnight for his recent controversial graphic design, will be released later this evening, his lawyer Rajsurian Pillai said today.

Revealing this on his Twitter account, Rajsurian said that senior assistant registrar Fatin Hamim denied a request from the police for a four-day remand order against Fahmi. 

Fahmi is being held at the Dang Wangi district police station lockup.

“The investigation officer requested a four-day remand under section 117 of the criminal procedure code but the registrar denied it. 

“After hearing submissions from both parties, registrar Fatin Hamim allowed a one-day remand. Fahmi will be released today,” he said on Twitter. 

Yesterday, Fahmi was questioned over his latest caricature of a chimpanzee dressed in a Malay royal costume. 

The political cartoonist cum activist is being probed under the Sedition Act 1948. 

Using the character of Mojo Jojo, the villain from The Powerpuff Girls cartoon show, Fahmi posted his drawing on Facebook depicting a primate in a royal costume akin to a Malay ruler. 

Hours later, he released a statement saying those who can accept satirical works that equate others to apes should accept it when a similar thing is done to them. 

While not mentioning names, it is believed he was referring to Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who purchased a painting depicting lawmakers as monkeys, apes and frogs. – April 15, 2022.