AN editor of a book has been detained by police under the Sedition Act, Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) said today.

In statement, CIJ said Kean Wong, the editor of “Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance, and Hope in New Malaysia”, was taken to the Dang Wangi district police station for questioning.

“We feel that this is a violation of his basic human right to freedom of expression and as such, will be supporting him in solidarity.”

In 2020, the Home Ministry instructed the police to look into the book with a cover that is believed to be a mockery of the Malaysian coat of arms.

The book is a collection of articles, essays and political analysis about the 2018 general election.

Published in January, before the change of government, the cover of the book features a crocodile and a pale face with a naked baby sitting on top of it while being flanked by two tigers bearing human faces.

Then Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said the book had violated the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963.

Citing section 3(1)(a) of the act, he said it was an offence to imitate the Malaysian coat of arms, which represents the government. – October 16, 2023.