KUALA LUMPUR – Artist-activist Fahmi Reza Mohd Zarin has been released from the Kajang district police headquarters this morning, shortly after his statement was taken over recent works satirising Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and the health minister.
According to his lawyer, Yohendra Nadarajan, Fahmi Reza arrived at the station at 10am and was released at 10.50am after his statements were taken by investigating officers.
He also confirmed that Fahmi Reza will not be summoned to the Sepang police district headquarters for the same investigation as his statement was taken for each case by investigating officers from Kajang and Sepang.
Fahmi Reza is the subject of another two investigation papers, this time over his works satirising UKM and the health minister last month.
Shortly after his release, he confirmed his visit to the police station on his Facebook page.
“The first query was with an inspector from Kajang IPD regarding the graphic logo #UniversitiKatakKebangsaan that I posted on my Facebook account. Second session was with another inspector from Sepang IPD regarding my sketch of the ‘Menteri Air Suam’ as Dracula, which I posted on my Twitter.
“This year alone, five investigation papers have been opened against me regarding my postings and satire graphics. Who knew that a graphic artist can threaten the authorities? I am ready to face any investigations or charges and am prepared to defend my right to speak up using art as my weapon.
“F*** fear, let’s dance,” he posted.
In a Facebook post on April 30, Fahmi Reza said he received two calls from police – one from the Kajang district police and the other from Sepang – summoning him for questioning.
“I’m being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 over two graphics I posted. One was on Facebook, and the other on Twitter.
“I am prepared to face any new investigation or allegation. I am prepared to defend all my works. As usual, I will not delete those posts. The people should not be afraid of the government, a government that should be afraid of the people.
“No matter the obstacles, I will continue to fight.”
He shared the two artworks concerned. “Universiti Katak Kebangsaan”, posted on April 5, is loosely based on the UKM emblem. The other, posted five days later, is a vampire caricature resembling Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
UKM had on April 7 demanded Fahmi Reza take down his post, saying it is an insult to the institution, and gave him seven days to do so, failing which the varsity will initiate legal action.
Meanwhile, the caricature based on Dr Adham was in response to an announcement that people who have donated blood more than 50 times stand to get the Covid-19 vaccine ahead of others.
Just two weeks ago, Fahmi Reza was arrested two hours after publishing a second “This Is Dengki Ke” playlist.
He was brought to the Dang Wangi police station under the Communications and Multimedia Act and Sedition Act 1948.
He was freed a day later, after the authorities’ application for a four-day remand was rejected, and amid calls by various quarters for his release.
Choosing to name the playlist “This Is Dengki Ke” is understood to be a satirical take on an Instagram comment by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
The queen had made the comment “Dengki ke? (Are you jealous?)” on April 19 after a netizen asked whether chefs at Istana Negara have been vaccinated against Covid-19, after Tunku Azizah posted photos of dishes prepared by her and the palace’s kitchen crew.
This followed an Asia Sentinel report accusing the royal family of hoarding 2,000 doses of the Sinovac jab, which has yet to be approved for use. – The Vibes, May 6, 2021
