TikToker who questioned ‘asam pedas’ eatery’s halal status freed on bail

PETALING JAYA: The owner of a TikTok account, believed to have made insulting statements targeting the royal institution and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has been released on police bail.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the 22-year-old man from Johor was released after a court rejected the police’s remand application, Sinar Harian reported.

“The person involved has apologised. However, an investigation will continue and (the case) will be submitted to the attorney-general’s office for further action,” he was quoted as saying.

The case is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

It was previously reported that the man was arrested at his house in Johor on Tuesday. Police also seized his mobile phone.

In the posting, the man allegedly questioned why the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, the regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail, and Anwar had dined at a restaurant that allegedly did not have a halal certificate.

Earlier this month, they were spotted having lunch together at a restaurant, which served asam pedas, in Johor Bahru, shortly after Sultan Ibrahim granted an audience to the prime minister.

According to Sinar Harian, the man has since posted an apology on his TikTok account and removed the video in question.

“Geng, I apologise for the statement about eating at a restaurant that doesn’t have a halal certificate. It turns out that it actually has one,” he said.

“Once again, I apologise for my mistake in not doing further research.”