KUALA LUMPUR – Police confirmed that the arrest of artist-activist Fahmi Reza last night was made over his Facebook post promoting his Spotify playlist titled “This Is Dengki Ke?”.
The playlist was created in an apparently direct jab at Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Huzir Mohamed noted that in the post, the graphic designer had uploaded a picture of the queen with the accompanying caption “This Is Dengki Ke? 100 dengki songs, all in one playlist”.
“Police have received a report against Fahmi, who is deemed to have insulted the Raja Permaisuri Agong,” Huzir said in a statement late last night.
“On April 23, the Criminal Investigation Department arrested Fahmi in Kuala Lumpur. The suspect will be brought to the magistrate on April 24 (today) for a remand application.
“Investigation is being conducted by the Classified Criminal Investigation Unit under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.”
The latter deals with the improper use of network facilities or services, et cetera.
Huzir urged the public to be more prudent in using social media platforms so as not to cause disharmony, warning that the police will not compromise on those who do.
Last night, various media outlets reported that police had barged into Fahmi’s house to arrest him, after the artist refused to allow the authorities in without the presence of his lawyer.
Various quarters have since slammed the arrest made for a satirical post, saying Malaysians should have the freedom of expression.
The six-hour playlist features 101 tracks, mostly songs that contain the words “jealous” and “dengki” in their titles.
The last track on the playlist is God Save the Queen by punk rock band Sex Pistols.
The playlist name “This Is Dengki Ke?” is believed to be a satirical take on a recent Instagram comment by the Raja Permaisuri Agong.
She wrote “Dengki ke? (Are you jealous?)” on April 19 in response to a netizen’s question as to whether chefs at the palace have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
The netizen had made the query after Tunku Azizah posted photos of dishes prepared by her and the palace’s kitchen crew.
The online incident followed an Asia Sentinel report last week accusing the royal family of hoarding 2,000 doses of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine, which has yet to be approved by the government for use. – The Vibes, April 24, 2021
