Law student Dalbinder Singh Gill from Penang was detained under the Sedition Act last night for his Facebook post questioning bumiputera rights and the institution of the monarchy.
 
Two police personnel from Cyber Crime Unit in Bukit Aman came to Dalbinder's house in Jesselton Heights last night, but the 24-year-old was not at home.
 
Dalbinder ( left ), a nephew of the late Karpal Singh of DAP, surrendered himself at the Northeast District police headquarters on Jalan Patani for questioning at 10.45pm.
 
He told Malaysiakini he was released on police bail at 1.30am.
 
He was met by his mother, two friends, and lawyer and Kebun Bunga assemblyperson Cheah Kah Peng, who rushed from Permatang Pauh to the police station to accompany Dalbinder.
 
"I was told that it was the police who lodged a report against me, prompting them to detain me," said Dalbinder.
 
"Police seized my iPhone and iPad to help with the investigation. They took me back to my house to get my iPad," he said when contacted.
 
"I have to report back to the police station in a month's time. They took my fingerprints and photos," he added.
 
Latest victim

Dalbinder is the latest victim of the sedition dragnet launched by the police following Merdeka Day on Aug 31, which saw a host of people, from opposition leaders, students, academicians to activists and a preacher arrested for "seditious" statements.

 
A Malaysiakini journalist was also arrested under the Act, over a "seditious" report published on Sept 1 quoting a Penang state executive councillor and head of the voluntary patrol unit (PPS), Phee Boon Poh, who said he was treated like a "criminal" while under police detention on Merdeka Day.

When contacted, Northeast District police chief ACP Mior Faridalatrah confirmed Dalbinder's arrest at Jalan Patani last night.

"The arrest was made by the Cyber Crime Department in Kuala Lumpur, under Section 4(1) (C) of the Sedition Act.

"Investigations will be carried out by the Cyber Crime Department at the Brickfields police station," he added.

Section 4(1)(C) of the Act deals with individuals who publish or reproduce seditious publications, and a conviction includes a fine of not more than RM5,000, up to three years' jail or both.

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