THE Community Communications Department (J-KOM) has lodged a police report against activist Albert Tei, escalating a dispute over a series of protests linked to allegations that his TikTok account was unfairly restricted.
J-KOM director-general Mohd Hisyamuddin Ghazali said the action was taken after Tei allegedly organised multiple gatherings outside the Ministry of Communications building since last month, which the department claims interfered with daily government operations.
According to Mohd Hisyamuddin, the activist had allegedly assembled supporters outside Menara Komunikasi in Putrajaya on four separate occasions, prompting concerns about disruptions to civil servants and public access to the ministry complex.
“The police report was lodged as he has already gathered four times in front of Menara Komunikasi. Holding gatherings there sends a negative signal, particularly as it disrupts thousands of civil servants who work there and use the entrance,” he told reporters after lodging the report at the Putrajaya District Police Headquarters today.
The department has asked authorities to investigate whether any offences were committed under several legal provisions, including Section 186 of the Penal Code for allegedly obstructing public servants in the performance of their duties, Section 504 of the Penal Code relating to intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 concerning alleged insults directed at public officials.
Beyond the police report, J-KOM is also taking the matter to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), alleging that communication networks may have been used to harass or provoke individuals in connection with the protests.
Mohd Hisyamuddin said the complaint to the regulator would involve Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which addresses the improper use of network facilities or services.
He stressed that the department was not seeking to prejudge the outcome of the case but wanted the relevant authorities to conduct an impartial investigation.
“We are asking the police to conduct an investigation. If there is an offence, take action, and if not, let the investigation determine the outcome,” he said.
The dispute stems from a protest launched by Albert Tei and a group of content creators, who staged a sit-in at the lobby of the Ministry of Communications after alleging that the businessman’s TikTok account had been subjected to restrictions.
The group argued that the action against the account was unjustified and demanded clarification regarding the circumstances surrounding the restriction.
Responding to those allegations, Mohd Hisyamuddin said decisions regarding account restrictions are ultimately governed by the policies and standards of individual social media platforms rather than government agencies.
“If the account does not pass the platform’s requirements, do not immediately blame the ministry or the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The matter must be investigated first,” he said.
The latest development places the dispute in the hands of law enforcement and regulatory authorities, with investigations expected to determine whether any laws were breached during the demonstrations or through online activities connected to the protests. - June 11, 2026
