Lawyer Matthias Chang, who is representing Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) detainee Khairuddin Abu Hassan, is still a free man after being questioned by police today.

Chang, who was expected to be arrested yesterday, had his statement taken at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters as a witness in Khairuddin's case.

In a statement issued after he left Dang Wangi, Chang said he was asked to confirm whether he accompanied Khairuddin to Switzerland, France and the UK where police reports against 1MDB were made.

He added he has been called in for further questioning on Friday, under Section 203A of the Penal Code.

Section 203A states that -

(1) Whoever discloses any information or matter which has been obtained by him in the performance of his duties or the exercise of his functions under any written law shall be punished with fine of not more than one million ringgitt, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or both.

(2) Whoever has any information or matter which to his knowledge has been disclosed in contravention of subsection (1) who discloses that information or matter to any other person shall be punished with fine of not more than one million ringgit or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with both.

The law, which was added to the Penal Code in 2014, is aimed at organised criminal groups.

It has been criticised as being arbitrary and too broad, allowing for a crackdown on freedom of expression.

International probes launched

Khairuddin is being probed under Section 124K and 124L of the Penal Code for allegedly sabotaging the state.

This is in relation to the multiple police report the former Batu Kawan Umno deputy chief lodged overseas on the 1MDB scandal.

This has prompted investigations in Switzerland, United Kingdom, France, Singapore and Hong Kong.

There is also a corruption probe in the United States linked to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Najib has repeatedly denied misusing 1MDB funds for his own personal gain.

He has also said that there is an international conspiracy to topple him.

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