The judiciary has been blasted for not stopping the government from allegedly "punishing" activist Ali Abd Jalil with repeated arrests.

Ali was arrested for the fourth time yesterday immediately following his release at the Johor Baru Magistrate's Court, after the police secured an additional three-day remand.

"It is clear that the multiple remands have been done in bad faith in order to punish Ali rather than any bona fide attempt at investigation.

"It is also shocking and unacceptable that the judiciary has been unable and reluctant to stop these abuses and instead merely rubber stamps the remand process," said Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) campaign coordinator Michelle Yesudas ( left in photo ) in a statement today.

Yesudas, who represented Ali in his first arrest, said the repeated detention under the Sedition Act was "gross abuse of power".

"LFL is outraged at the repeated arrest and detention of Ali who has been charged in Selayang and Shah Alam for three sedition offences, but now faces further remand and charges in Johor Bahru.

"Ali’s case is a blatant example of the gross abuse of power by the police and Attorney-General's (AG) Chambers when it comes to politically motivated charges," she said.

She also questioned the necessity of remanding  Ali "all over the country" when the authorities could access the Facebook page over which he is being charged "anywhere and be investigated simultaneously".

Ali, one of a growing number of victims in what has been called a government crackdown on criticism and dissent using the archaic Sedition Act among others, is being charged over a Facebook posting deemed insulting to the royalty.

The dragnet has also snared Universiti Malaya law lecturer Azmi Sharom , the first academician to be hit with a sedition charge on Sept 2 for commenting on a legal matter in relation to the palace's role in the recent Selangor menteri besar crisis.

Flash mob at Masjid Jamek

Meanwhile, a group of 10 activists staged a flash mob outside Masjid Jamek in solidarity with Ali.

Some placards read ‘Merdeka 1957 - Akta 1948 - Sekarang 2014’(Independence in 1957-1948 Sedition Ac - 2014 now) ‘Hon Tanda Setuju (Honk if you agree), and ‘100% Merdeka’.

While a few cars did honk in response as a gesture of support, the public response was generally subdued. While a few passersby stopped and read the content of the placards, most of them just ignored them and walked away.

Led by activist Safwan Anang, the protestors marched towards Sogo after the 15-minute long flash mob gathering. In front of Sogo, they sung ‘Internationale’,’Buruh Tani, Mahasiswa, Kaum Miskin Kota’, before dispersing.