The former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of a popular Malaysian restaurant chain has been arrested by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) over an insensitive social media post he made on Friday prayers.
The man, Andrew Chong, recently found himself under fire for a viral social media post criticising the Terengganu State Government’s decision to fine and jail Muslim men who skip Friday prayers on purpose. He has since apologised for the remarks and deleted the post, but was ultimately removed from his position by the restaurant chain.
For illustration purposes
The police have arrested Andrew Chong over the viral remarks
In an official statement, PDRM revealed that Andrew has been placed under a 2-day remand, which is expected to last until Tuesday (August 26). The police added that that he is being investigated for sedition, causing public alarm, and misuse of networks, which are under these sections, namely,
- Section 4(1) of Malaysia’s Sedition Act 1948
- Section 505(b) of the Penal Code
- Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act
PDRM also arrested another suspect from a different case
In the statement, PDRM also highlighted the arrest of another suspect from a different case, which relates to a post made by Lawrence Teo about “an attack on the resident of Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim.” Lawrence is arrested and being investigated for causing public alarm, and misuse of networks under these sections, namely,
- Section 505(b) of the Penal Code
- Section 506 of the Penal Code
- Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act
Lawrence is undergoing a 4-day remand, which is expected to last until Thursday (August 28).
Stay tuned as we keep you updated.
