Several civil society activists held a candlelight vigil outside the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur where artist-activist Fahmi Reza is being held.
Condemning the arrest and demanding his release, they chanted “Free Fahmi” and “Political satire is not a crime”.
They also called for the Sedition Act 1948 to be abolished.
Fahmi was arrested this evening for alleged sedition and breach of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The arrest is believed linked to his recent works on the #DengkiKe issue that involved the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
He will be held overnight in the Dang Wangi police lock-up pending his remand hearing which has been set for 10am tomorrow.
Speaking during the vigil, Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy asked what was Fahmi’s crime and why the need to arrest him at his home.
“We are protesting this because satire is not a crime. Today several NGO representatives have gathered in solidarity with Fahmi.
“The Dang Wangi police have investigated Fahmi before this and he came here peacefully to give his statement.
“There is no need for a team of policemen to go to his house, inflict damage and arrest him. This violates the democratic process,” he said.
Fahmi’s lawyer Yohendra Nadarajan earlier told Malaysiakini that police officers had damaged his client’s front door when they arrested him.
Activists from NGOs Bersih, Article 19, CSO Platform for Reform and Pusat Komas were among those present tonight.
The vigil lasted for about 20 minutes with police telling them to disperse several times'
Criticism echoes online
Criticism against Fahmi’s arrest was also widespread online.
The artist cum activist's name was a Twitter trending topic as of 11pm tonight, indicating many were discussing him.
The Centre for Independent Journalism said satire as a form of expression was protected under the Federal Constitution.
“Satire is protected by our constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and speech. The state shouldn’t arbitrarily undermine these freedoms,” it said on Twitter today.
International human rights group Amnesty International’s Malaysia chapter called for Fahmi to be released unconditionally.
“Time and time again, the draconian Sedition Act and Communications and Multimedia Act are used as tools by the authorities to silence critical voices and dissent. This needs to stop,” it said.
Groups have called for another demonstration tomorrow morning to show solidarity with Fahmi, also outside the Dang Wangi station. - Mkini
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