Lawyer arrested over tweet accusing Jakim of extremism, group says

(Malay Mail Online) – Lawyer Eric Paulsen was arrested last night over a Twitter post accusing the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) of spreading extremism through Friday sermons, according to Lawyers for Liberty (LFL).

Paulsen was being investigated by police for sedition over the now-deleted message that he had published last week

“Latest: @EricPaulsen101 just picked up by 20 over police, headed to Dang Wangi, despite agreement to have investigations trow at Bk Aman!” the group said on its @lawyers4liberty account.

LFL legal coordinator Michelle Yesudas when contacted, told the Malay Mail Online that Paulsen was picked up by the police from a restaurant in Brickfields this evening.

“Eric was arrested by police in Brickfields after his dinner by twenty cops. Taken to LFL for investigations, they confiscated his laptop and phone.

“They have now left our office. He is taken to Dang Wangi and they plan to apply for a remand order over his tweet,” she said, adding that she did not have additional details.

On Friday, Paulsen posted, “Jakim is promoting extremism every Friday. Govt needs to address that if serious about extremism in Malaysia.”

In a response on Saturday, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Paulsen together with DAP’s Kapar MP Ko Chung Sen will come for attention under the Sedition Act.

In his Twitter post, Khalid posted a picture of Paulsen with a text insert that read, “Jakim is promoting extremism every Friday. Govt needs to address that if serious about extremism in Malaysia.”

The image was branded with the word “Biadap” (rude) in bold, red letters.

On Sunday, Paulsen retorted, questioning why Khalid initiated action against him and Ko based on demands from pro-Umno Internet users.