KUALA LUMPUR – A Malaysian cybersecurity expert has allegedly been detained in Saudi Arabia for supposedly insulting the Middle Eastern country in a social media post.
According to X (formerly Twitter) user @addien90s, the individual going by the name of Saifuddin Amri was detained by Saudi authorities yesterday.
The netizen also urged the Malaysian government to negotiate for Saifuddin’s safe return.
“I’m waiting for updates from (Saifuddin’s) family. He is alone (in Saudi Arabia), his wife and children are in Malaysia. Please pray for him,” @addien90s said in another tweet.
It is believed that Saifuddin’s tweet, which could have landed him in trouble with the authorities, included accusations that the Saudi people’s way of life is “evidence” of the world coming to an end.
Based on screenshots of his tweet in Malay, which have been widely circulated on X, Saifuddin also claimed that “alcohol and prostitutes” are available through the “black market” in Saudi Arabia.
He added that the Saudi religious figures adhere to the Madkhalis belief based on the writings of Sheikh Rabee al-Madkhali – which is described as a way of thinking characterised by monarchism and loyalty to secular authoritarian governments in the Arab world.
It is understood that the Malaysian consular in Riyadh is working on gathering information about Saifuddin’s arrest.
Also, checks by Scoop found that Saifuddin’s social media platforms, including his Instagram, X, and LinkedIn accounts, have been deactivated. – November 6, 2023