Lokman Noor Adam, a former Umno supreme council member, has been arrested for the second time under the Emergency Ordinance, which allows for action against fake news on Covid-19.
He confirmed on his Facebook that he was arrested yesterday and investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The section refers to improper use of network facilities or network service, and is punishable with a RM50,000 fine, one-year imprisonment, or both.
A magistrate court today allowed the police to remand Lokman for one day for investigations.
The reason for his arrest is unknown, but it is believed to be due to his recent Facebook video posting in which he had claimed that the government would be implementing a nationwide movement control order in order to extend the emergency period.
Dang Wangi police chief assistant commissioner Mohamad Zainal Abdullah confirmed Lokman’s arrest.
He said the Classified Crime Investigation Unit (D5) of Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigations Department is carrying out the investigations.
Lokman was first arrested last month under the Emergency Ordinance for claiming that the death of a police officer in Pahang was due to Covid-19 vaccine complications.
He has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional administration handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, including supporting calls for the emergency to be lifted.
He has been arrested a number of times in recent years involving, among others, his provocative statements on social media.