'Rebirth' editor gave contact details, Aussie address to cops, says his lawyer
The editor of the controversial book, "Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance, And Hope in New Malaysia" had provided the police with his address and contact details in Australia on July 6, said his lawyer.
Lawyer Fahri Azzat said this was contrary to a statement by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department (CID) director Huzir Mohamed who said yesterday that his client, Kean Wong, had left the country in January to an unknown location.
The editor of the controversial book, "Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance, And Hope in New Malaysia" had provided the police with his address and contact details in Australia on July 6, said his lawyer.
Lawyer Fahri Azzat said this was contrary to a statement by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department (CID) director Huzir Mohamed who said yesterday that his client, Kean Wong, had left the country in January to an unknown location.
Following the outcry over Rebirth's cover that allegedly insulted the country's coat-of-arms or Jata Negara, Fahri said he received instructions from Wong on July 3 to contact the investigation officer in charge and offer full cooperation with the ongoing probe.
"On that same day, Inspector Zakiman from Bukit Aman contacted me to request for my client's address, mobile number, and email.
"On July 6, following instructions from my client, I provided the information requested by the inspector.
"Since I provided the information to Inspector Zakiman, my client has not been contacted by the police either via email or through his mobile phone," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
Huzir yesterday reportedly told Bernama that Wong had left Malaysia in January but police were unable to confirm his whereabouts.
He reportedly said the police listed Wong as a wanted person who will be arrested when found.
Fahri further said Wong has held an Australian permanent resident status for close to 30 years, freelanced for various media and universities for the last 20 years, and made the country his home since 2003.
"He returned to Malaysia to celebrate Chinese New Year with his family and returned to Australia on Jan 28.
"Since then he has not returned to Malaysia," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Preventing Unlawful Use) (Amendment) Act 2016, Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 8 (1) of the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Better don't return or you may not know what will happen to you. You may just disappeared in thin air.
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