KULIM: Police will be releasing the former FMT reporter Rex Tan soon, said Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said Tan will be released after the police record his statement.
"I have been informed by Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, that Rex Tan will be released," he said.
ALSO READ: Former FMT reporter Rex Tan remanded for one day, to be released by 5pm
Tan was arrested at about midnight and was detained under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 505(c) of the Penal Code.
The arrest followed a sensitive question, alleged to contain racial elements, that was raised during a public lecture in Kuala Lumpur.
On Friday (Jan 16), media reports said Tan had resigned from FMT, a day after he apologised on Thursday (Jan 15) over the question he posed during the lecture, which sparked controversy.
ALSO READ: Former FMT reporter Rex Tan arrested
The Malaysian Media Council later condemned the doxxing, harassment and intimidation of journalists following the backlash against Tan.
The incident stemmed from a public lecture titled "Gaza Exposes the Complicity of International Actors" held on Jan 12, featuring British politician George Galloway, where the reporter posed a question that later drew widespread criticism online.
Saifuddin, in a press conference earlier at Kulim High-Tech Park, said the issue has invited a wide range of views.
ALSO READ: FMT journalist Rex Tan resigns
He said those who oppose the arrest argue that it violates the principle of freedom of speech and press freedom.
"They believe that journalists should be allowed to express their views freely and should not be subjected to action for doing so.
"However, on the other hand, there are those who believe that the remarks in question have crossed the red line," he said
He explained that the action was not taken to curb freedom of expression, but rather to ensure that the law is upheld and complied with.
