A journalist named Rex Tan from the influential Malaysian news outlet, Free Malaysia Today, has been arrested following a controversial question regarding the Gaza situation.
He was taken into custody on Friday morning after presenting himself at the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters.
The incident stems from a public forum held on Monday, titled “Gaza: Unmasking the Involvement of International Actors,” which featured British politician George Galloway.
During the event, Tan posed a question that sparked intense social media backlash, with critics alleging it incited ethnic sensitivities in Malaysia.
Following the outcry, Tan resigned from Free Malaysia Today on Thursday morning and issued a public apology.
He admitted that the framing of his question was flawed and inappropriate for the context of the discussion, acknowledging that drawing comparisons between Malay-Chinese relations and the plight of Palestinians was entirely unnecessary.
He further stated that he failed to maintain the professional standards expected of a journalist.
His legal representative, Rajsurian Pillai, confirmed that Tan is being detained under the Sedition Act. The investigation is currently being spearheaded by the federal police headquarters at Bukit Aman.
The arrest has drawn criticism from the Malaysia Media Council.
Deputy Chairman Premesh Chandran described the detention as “excessive and punitive,” noting that Tan had already admitted his mistake and was prepared to cooperate fully with the investigation. The council had previously condemned the personal attacks and harassment directed at the journalist.
Free Malaysia Today has expressed regret over the incident, clarifying that the media outlet had no prior knowledge of the question posed by Tan and does not support his remarks.
