POLICE in Kuala Lumpur have confirmed the arrest of a local man suspected of posting insulting remarks about Prophet Muhammad on Facebook, in a case that has drawn attention to the handling of sensitive religious content online.
The 47-year-old suspect was detained in Butterworth, Penang, at 8.32 pm yesterday by a team from the Butterworth police station.
The arrest followed a police report lodged at 1.30 am on 22 March regarding a viral post shared by a Facebook account under the name “Sakti Sakti Sakti”.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said officers also seized a mobile phone believed to have been used to upload the content.
"During the arrest, police also confiscated a Vivo 29T mobile phone believed to have been used by the suspect to upload the statement," he said in a statement today.
Authorities have obtained a three-day remand order for the suspect, effective today and running until 27 March, to facilitate the investigation.
Fadil said the case is being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony on religious grounds, as well as Section 505(c) of the same code for issuing statements intended to incite any group.
Investigations are also being conducted under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which covers the improper use of network facilities.
In the same statement, he issued a strong warning to the public against sharing or creating content touching on sensitive issues involving religion, race and the monarchy.
"The police will not compromise and firm action will be taken against any individual who violates the law in a manner that could undermine national harmony," he said. - March 26, 2026
