KEAN Wong, the editor of the controversial book “Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance, And Hope In New Malaysia” investigated following reports of insulting the national coat of arms, was remanded for a day.

His lawyer, Ivan Teng, said Wong was remanded for one day and could be released later today.

“Police are confident that they can complete the probe within a day.

“The investigating officer told me that Wong can be released this evening,” Teng said when met outside the Dang Wangi police headquarters.

He said police applied for a remand order for three reasons, namely to record statements, collect data from his phone to get messages from three years ago and get his fingerprints as well as his photos.

“Realistically, this can be done within two to three hours. Police have asked us to be ready with bail if he is released today,” said Teng.

He said his party was now waiting for an investigating officer from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

“We were told that MCMC had been called for the data collection process and to obtain the relevant username and password,” he said.

Wong was arrested at the Kelana Jaya Immigration Office yesterday while applying for a passport renewal.

Bukit Aman’s deputy Criminal Investigation Department director (Investigation/Legal) Rusdi Mohd Isa, confirmed Wong’s arrest.

“That’s right, he was arrested. The Classified Crime Investigation Unit is carrying out investigations,” he said.

Once arrested, Wong was reportedly taken to the Dang Wangi police headquarters for further probe under Sedition Act 1948.

On July 10, 2020, the then inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador was reported to have said police were tracking down Wong to assist in the probe over the book cover.

Investigations over the publication of the book began on June 29, 2020 following several police reports received from various parties nationwide.

Police also recorded the statements of several individuals including the painter, publisher and printer of the book.

During the investigation, Wong was reported to be in Australia and police said he has held Australian permanent residency status for more than 10 years.

The probe was carried out under section 5 of the Symbols and Names Act 2016, section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, section 8(1) of the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984, and section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. – October 17, 2023.