Man detained over offensive remarks against PM

The police have detained a man in connection with issuing an offensive statement against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Johor police chief Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said the 46-year-old suspect was picked up about 1pm Monday, at the ICT Mall, KOMTAR in Penang.

His offensive remarks on Facebook could threaten the country's harmony, he said, adding that a mobile phone, believed to have been used to post the offensive remarks via Facebook, was seized from the suspect.

"The state police received several police reports on March 16, following reports of social media abuse over the offensive remarks against the prime minister," he added in a statement here, Monday.

The case is investigated under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia 1998, which upon conviction carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or a jail term of up to one year or both and further fine of RM1,000 for every day the offence is continued after conviction.

- BERNAMA