Umno man Khairuddin Abu Hassan, who filed reports against 1MDB in several countries, was released this evening, only to be re-arrested by the police.

His lawyer Matthias Chang told Malaysiakini that Khairuddin was re-arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) at the Jalan Duta Court Complex in Kuala Lumpur around 4.40pm.

"When he walked out of the court after being released, he was immediately re-arrested for offences under Section 124K and 124L of the Penal Code," he said.

Section 124K and 124L deal with sabotage and attempting to sabotage the state respectively.

Under Sosma, Khairuddin can be detained without trial for up to 29 days. He was initially arrested on suspicion of acting to 'topple the government.'

Previously inspector general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said Khairuddin's police reports on 1MDB overseas could be seen as an attempt to sabotage Malaysia's economic stability and sovereignty.

Chang ( photo ) believes this is why the former Batu Kawan Umno deputy chief was released after being held under Section 124C of the Penal Code and re-arrested under different sections.

"The sabotage charge couldn't stick under Section 124C, so that's why they needed to re-arrest him," he said.

Section 124C is related to acts detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

Chang said that using Sosma against Khairuddin was clear intimidation and abuse of police powers by the government.

“This is a reflection that Prime Minister Abdul Razak’s regime is a fascist regime.

“Malaysia has become a police state!” he lamented in a statement later.

Khairuddin was arrested last Friday at his home in Mont Kiara, hours after finding out that he could not leave the country.

He was then remanded six days starting Saturday and was supposed to be released tomorrow.

His initial arrest was over evidence regarding the 1MDB scandal he submitted to Swiss authorities.

Besides Switzerland, Khairuddin had also lodged reports against 1MDB in London, Hong Kong and Singapore.

He was also reported to have scheduled a meeting with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has reportedly opened a probe into 1MDB.

According to a report by the New York Times, a US federal grand jury is also probing corruption allegations surrounding Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and those close to him, including his stepson Riza Aziz.

Najib has repeatedly denied misusing 1MDB funds for his own personal gain and vowed to solve the firm’s debt situation soon.

In the face of growing criticism over 1MDB and his leadership from both sides of the political divide, the prime minister has defended himself claiming there is a conspiracy to topple him and his government.

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