KUALA LUMPUR: Police have detained three of five actors identified as being involved in a 2018 theatre performance that allegedly mocked the Rukun Negara, to assist investigations under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk M Kumar said the three individuals were detained in Selangor and Johor about three days ago before being released on police bail.
“One of the five actors has since died, while another is believed to be in the United Kingdom.
“We are also tracing the person who uploaded the video that subsequently went viral,” he told a press conference here on Tuesday (Sept 22)
Comm Kumar said checks on the three individuals found no recordings of the performance or content related to the Rukun Negara on their phones, gadgets or social media accounts.
He said the performance was held behind closed doors at the Penang Art Center (PAC), Penang, in 2018, and no police report was lodged over the performance at the time.
He said police are still investigating the background of the theatre group involved as well as the circumstances surrounding the performance at the time.
On Saturday (Sept 19), Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus was reported to have said that the Bukit Aman Classified Crime Investigation Unit had taken over the investigation following a report lodged at the Jalan Tun Razak police station over the circulation of a video lasting about 10 minutes.
The video shows five actors reciting the Rukun Negara principles, interspersed with remarks and statements allegedly containing racial remarks.
Comm Kumar said police would complete the investigation before referring the investigation papers to the Attorney General’s Chambers for further instructions and advice.
