KUALA LUMPUR – Arrested preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussin is under a sedition investigation on suspicion of insulting a Sultan, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Fuzi Harun said this evening.
“Wan Ji was detained under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 on suspicion of insulting the Sultan,” he was quoted by national newswire Bernama as saying after attending an event at the police training centre here.
He said police had received several complaints against the 35-year-old on the alleged insult, but had not been able to trace him before today.
Wan Ji, now information officer to the Penang chief minister, was arrested at 2.45pm outside the Masjid Sembilang in Seberang Jaya, Penang.
He was appointed on September 28 to assist the chief minister’s strategic adviser Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on matters related to Islam in Penang.
In September 2014, Wan Ji had been charged with allegedly posting seditious words against the Selangor Sultan on his Facebook page two years prior.
However, little has been reported on the outcome of his trial since January 16, 2015 when he was allowed to contested the constitutionality of the charge.
MEANWHILE, according to The Malaysian Insight:
Wan Ji should not be arrested over an old video, say parents
PARENTS of arrested Muslim preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussin said their son should not be arrested over an an alleged offence which took place four years ago.
Wan Ji’s mother Salmah Zakaria, who knew of her son’s arrest through Facebook, only hoped for him to be released soon.
Salmah said her son is not the type to worry those around him and claimed that his friends probably knew more of his whereabouts more than his family does.
“I do not ask for much but only for him to be released soon. This is an old case.
“The last time I saw him was last week when he came back. He was supposed to come back today and he usually stays from Friday until Sunday,” said the 54-year-old during a vigil held for Wan Ji in front of the Dang Wangi police headquarters tonight.
Wan Ji’s father, Wan Hussin Wan Hassan said he came with hopes to meet with his son.
“I did not know the way here (Dang Wangi) but I came anyway from Sg Buloh,” he told The Malaysian Insight, adding that he was informed of his son arrest by his wife while at work.
“If possible, please release him (Wan Ji) as soon as possible because as a father I am very saddened by it (the arrest), and I was not even aware of it until my wife saw the news on Facebook,” he added.
Wan Ji was arrested by police in Seberang Jaya, Penang after Friday prayers today.
The PKR Youth religious bureau chief, who was recently appointed as Penang information officer, was picked up at Masjid Sembilang, where he had delivered a Friday sermon.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohamad Fuzi Harun confirmed Wan Ji’s detention was to assist in the investigation into a report alleging he had insulted a Malay ruler.
“Wan Ji was detained under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 on suspicion of insulting the sultan,” Bernama quoted him as saying.
A video in 2013 showed Wan Ji allegedly insulting the sultan and the monarchy.
Organiser of the event, Syukri Razab said the Sedition Act should be abolished as it stops people from voicing out.
“It (the Sedition Act) is out of date and should be abolished.
“We are all aware that he (Wan Ji) is a preacher and it was his nature to voice out his ideas to the people.
“He should have not have been stopped using this Act, which have also received criticisms from many parties and activists who said the act should be abolished,” he said.
PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad seconded Syukri’s opinion and said Wan Ji Should not be arrested over an old video.
“Do not sacrifice the freedom and future of this young man just because the general elections is near.
“We hope he will be released soon and any actions taken against him should not be based on the Sedition Act,” he added.
About 20 people came out in support of Wan Ji outside the Dang Wangi district police headquarters tonight. They lit candles and shouted out for his released.
Also present was Bersatu Youth (Armada) exco Mohd Ashraf Mustaqim Badrul Munir and Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy.
– http://www.themalaymailonline.com
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