Five editors and a photographer from The Star were questioned by police today over last Saturday's controversial front page.

Their lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad said the six were questioned under the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 298A of the Penal Code, which criminalises causing disharmony, or hatred on religious grounds.

"The recording of the statements went on smoothly. We believe the police will investigate the matter fairly and objectively," Amer Hamzah told Malaysiakini.

He was not at liberty to disclose what questions were asked, but said the questioning took two hours.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar had previously said that the English daily would be probed for sedition after police reports were lodged against it.

The questioning came a day after The Star suspended two senior editors over its May 27 front page, which sparked public outcry for featuring a picture of Muslims praying under an unrelated article with the headline "Malaysian terrorist leader". 

First-time offenders under the Sedition Act can be jailed for up to three years, or fined up to RM5,000 or both.

Meanwhile Section 298A of the Penal Code is punishable with between two to five years imprisonment.

Besides the police probe, the Home Ministry on May 29 issued a show-cause letter instructing the daily to explain why it should not have its publication license suspended, according to provisions under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. It has to reply by June 5. 

The ministry also expressed grave disappointment over the front page, while police are investigating the daily under the Sedition Act for allegedly inciting religious enmity.

The English daily has released an apology, explaining that it is normal practice for the newspaper to print a picture of the first terawih prayers for the year, on the first day of Ramadan.

It said it was coincidental that the first day of Ramadan on Saturday was also the same day it ran the article on terrorism.