KUALA LUMPUR – Umno has gathered its lawyers to help youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh following his detention in Kota Kinabalu today as part of the investigation into a purportedly seditious speech on KK Mart’s “Allah”-printed socks.
Despite currently being in Mecca, Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party had appointed the party’s legal adviser, Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun.
Asyraf added that he spoke to Dr Akmal while the latter was detained, confirming that he was in good condition and cooperated with police.
“According to our phone conversation, I was informed that God-willing, he will be released after the statement has been recorded by police,” he said in a statement, which was posted at 1.50pm Malaysian time.
This morning, Dr Akmal shared on Facebook about his detention in the Sabah capital, insisting he would not budge from his stance on the issue.
Dr Akmal was later released after being detained for at least two hours for the authorities to record his statement at the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters.
At the same time, Umno Youth also gathered a group of lawyers to help Dr Akmal following his detention.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that the authorities were investigating Dr Akmal under the Sedition Act 1948 over his actions and speeches amid the KK Mart fiasco.
Dr Akmal was scheduled to have his statement recorded at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow. – April 5, 2024