Editor of controversial 'Rebirth' book arrested

Editor of controversial 'Rebirth' book arrested


An overseas-based Malaysian book editor under probe in relation to a sedition case three years ago has been taken into police custody at the Dang Wangi station today upon his return.

Malaysiakini learnt that Kean Wong, who edited the controversial 2020 book "Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance, And Hope in New Malaysia", was arrested at the Kelana Jaya Immigration Department building this morning.

It is understood that Wong landed at KLIA last week and entered the country.

Sources indicated that Wong's attempt to renew his Malaysian passport could have triggered an alert in the immigration system based on a police’s "suspect list".

When contacted, Wong's lawyer Goh Cia Yee confirmed the arrest.

"Yes, he has been arrested and is at Dang Wangi station now," Goh told Malaysiakini.

Goh, who accompanied Wong, later said his client is expected to remain in detention overnight and police are expected to apply for remand tomorrow.

In 2020, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department launched a probe against the book, which is a compilation of articles written by various writers on the change of government in 2018 and edited by Wong.

The book sparked controversy and over 200 police reports over its cover that featured a modified image of the national coat-of-arms, which was deemed insulting to the national symbol.

At the time, the case was investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Preventing Unlawful Use) (Amendment) Act 2016, Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 8 (1) of the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.