FELDA activist Mazlan Aliman is being investigated for defamation and misuse of internet to spread offensive material relating to the prime minister’s wife, Rosmah Mansor.

The investigations were filed under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act respectively.

If charged and convicted, Mazlan, who is Persatuan Anak Peneroka Kebangsaan (Anak) president, faces up to two years in jail and a possible fine for the first offense and a fine of up to RM50,000, or a year in jail, or both for the second offense.

Mazlan’s lawyer Wan Anwar Wan Ibrahim told reporters that the activist, who was remanded since Thursday, was released at the Jinjang police station today

“He was originally set to be released tomorrow, but the police have completed their questioning,” Wan Anwar said.

Mazlan, 52, a fierce critic of Felda, was arrested on Wednesday in relation to a ceramah uploaded on YouTube on March 7 where he had criticised the prime minister’s wife Rosmah Mansor.

On Monday, Rosmah lodged a police report via her special officer against Mazlan over his allegation that she was involved in a failed fish-breeding project, which led to Felda losing millions of ringgit.

Rosmah’s lawyer, Noor Hajran Mohd Noor, said Mazlan’ statement was defamatory.

The auditor-general’s report in 2015 stated that Felda lost RM47.61 million on the sturgeon farm in Pahang which provided zero return after the suspension of the project.

Opposition lawmakers have condemned the arrest, calling it politically motivated. – March 24, 2018.