Police have arrested a youth for posting a seditious message on Facebook to promote a so-called rally to overthrow the federal government on New Year's Eve.

According to federal CID chief Hadi Ho Abdullah, the suspect operated a Facebook page under the name Asmaelz Hadzeny II and was arrested in Saratok, Sarawak, at 11am today.

"He will be brought to Kuala Lumpur to assist in investigations. Police have classified the case under Section 124C of the Penal Code for attempt to commit activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy,” Hadi said in a post on the police's official Facebook page.

The police appear to be convinced that there will be a rally at Dataran Merdeka on Dec 31 by those seeking to overthrow the ruling party from Putrajaya.
 
Thus far, only one group - Gerakan Turun Harga Kos Sara (Turun) - has rallied the public to attend a demonstration on that day, with the intention of expressing public discontent over government policies that has led to a rise in the cost of basic necessities.

Pre-emptive arrests?

 
Turun's leader Mohd Azan Safar was nabbed late on Monday night and held for questioning for about 20 hours under the Peaceful Assembly Act and the same section under the Penal Code.
 
On Tuesday, the police failed to secure a remand order and released him.
 
Following this, the police attempted to arrest Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) leader Badrul Hisham Shahrin at his home in Bukit Chedang, Seremban on Christmas eve. 
 
Nine police personnel in two police patrol cars and a van arrived at Badrul Hisham's home at 11.30pm on Tuesday, only to realise that he was abroad at the time.
 
The police left a note instructing him to contact the police upon his return.
 
The police did not cite their purpose for questioning Badrul Hisham, but it is believed to be related to SAMM's alleged involvement in a rally on Dec 31, that is unrelated to Turun's rally.