SUBANG JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he does not agree if activist and graphic artist Fahmi Reza is arrested or charged.
"I don't agree," Anwar said in response to a question at a press conference.
He said he did not believe that every criticism of the government needed to be probed.
Fahmi is being investigated by Bukit Aman over a graphic on newly appointed Sabah governor Tun Musa Aman.
The case is being probed under the Sedition Act, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for improper use of network facilities, and Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of the peace.
On a follow-up question about the relevance of Section 233 of Communications and Multimedia Act, Anwar said it was still necessary in issues like pornography and cyberbullying, citing the case of influencer A. Rajeswary or Esha.
On July 5, Esha was found dead in her Setapak apartment a few days after lodging a police report alleging she had been abused online.
Anwar, however, said that in the case of insults against the royalty, action by the authorities was "beyond him".
"Because they (royalty) are not in 'the game', they cannot respond."
"Sometimes there are inciting statements that also touch on racial and religious sentiments.
"I don't agree for action to be taken against all cases but criticisms related to race and religion, we don't condone those."