[UPDATED] Monkey business: Bukit Aman arrests Fahmi Reza over ‘beruk’ portrait

KUALA LUMPUR – Intrepid graphic designer Fahmi Reza has been arrested at 4.20pm after being questioned over an artwork depicting an ape donned in a yellow outfit with emblems and a headdress.

Lawyer Rajsurian Pillai, who was with Fahmi during the questioning, told The Vibes that police seized his client’s mobile phone and SIM card.

Fahmi is currently being investigated under Sedition Act, and Communications and Multimedia Commission Act. Police are expected to apply for a remand order at 9am tomorrow.

Earlier he was questioned by Bukit Aman’s Classified Criminal Investigations Department at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters.

Fahmi, in a tweet today, said that he has been summoned to the Bukit Aman police headquarters here for his statement to be taken this afternoon.  

“In less than 15 hours, the police has opened an investigation paper under #AktaHasutan and #AktaSakitHati because of the satirical #beruk graphic I posted last night. 

“We’ll meet in a bit, (PDRM) Royal Malaysia Police,” he said. 

Last night, the controversial artist uploaded a framed portrait of an ape, which resembles infamous cartoon villain Mojo Jojo from The Powerpuff Girls, with what appears to be the background of the Dewan Rakyat.  

While the 44-year-old political satirist did not name his artwork, speculation has been rife that it could be related to the painting of primates and frogs attending a parliamentary session, which Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah bought.  

At press time, the illustration has garnered more than 4,200 retweets and 12,900 likes on Twitter.

In a statement after Fahmi’s arrest, CID director commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan advised the public to avoid making any speculations that could impede ongoing investigations.

Jalil said the caricature, which police described as a monkey wearing a yellow palace uniform, had sparked anger among netizens who described Fahmi’s actions as outrageous.

“The public are urged to be smart, conscientious social media users and not use the platforms to cause public distress and threaten national harmony,” Jalil said in a statement.

“Strict action without compromise will be taken against any individual who deliberately threatens harmony and public security.” – The Vibes, April 14, 2022