POLICE are finalising an investigation under the Sedition Act involving a former journalist from an online news portal, with the investigation papers expected to be submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers in the near future.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said investigations into the case were still ongoing, with several witnesses already called to assist in completing the probe.
“Investigations are still being conducted and we are in the process of completing the investigation papers before submitting them to the Attorney General for further action.
“So far, around four or five individuals have had their statements recorded as witnesses, and police do not rule out the possibility of calling additional witnesses if necessary,” he said.
Mohd Khalid was speaking at a press conference held in conjunction with the Inspector-General of Police’s Community Policing Visit to the Royal Malaysia Police Thaneer Panthal programme at the Sri Subramania Swamy Temple in Batu Caves today.
Also present were Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar S Muthuvelu and Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar.
Earlier, the former journalist involved, Rex Tan, issued a public apology over a question he posed during a public forum titled ‘Gaza Exposes the Complicity of International Actors’ on January 12.
In a statement, Tan expressed deep regret over the poorly framed question, acknowledging that it was not relevant to the event and failed to take into account the sensitivities surrounding the subject matter.
Commenting on a separate case involving a Chinese-language media company also being investigated under the Sedition Act, Mohd Khalid said investigations were ongoing and the investigation papers were being completed.
He said police were also paying close attention to issues involving race, religion and incitement, which continue to surface on social media in line with the rapid growth of digital platforms.
“Police are in discussions with the Attorney General’s Chambers to formulate a phased approach in addressing 3R issues involving royalty, religion and race so that enforcement actions can be carried out effectively.
“These issues are increasing alongside the growth of social media, and action will be taken in stages in accordance with the law.
“We are working closely with the Attorney General’s Chambers to ensure that the approach taken is appropriate and in line with existing legal provisions,” he said.
Previously, media reports stated that police had recorded statements from the editor-in-chief and sub-editor of a Chinese-language newspaper to assist investigations into a Facebook post alleged to have misrepresented the translation of a royal address by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim during the opening of Parliament.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar was reported as saying that two senior officers from the newspaper were called in at around 1pm on January 18.
The case is being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which relates to statements that may cause public mischief with intent to incite or which are likely to incite fear or alarm among the public.
The investigation also involves Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for the improper use of network facilities or services. - February 1, 2026
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