Zaid, Lip Eng condemn Rex Tan’s arrest

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim calls Rex Tan’s arrest “hypocrisy” and selective enforcement, while Lim Lip Eng demands his immediate release, slamming police action as repressive. - Scoop pic, January 17, 2026
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[UPDATED] Zaid, Lip Eng condemn Rex Tan’s arrest


Former law minister and DAP MP call police action 'hypocrisy' and 'repressive selective enforcement'


Scoop Reporters
Updated 14 seconds ago
17 January, 2026
1:03 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR – Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has criticised the arrest of journalist Rex Tan under the Sedition Act, calling it an example of selective enforcement.

Zaid compared Tan’s case to PAS MP Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, who in October posted on Facebook that non-Muslims and non-bumiputera posed a threat to Malay-Islam interests.

“This is hypocrisy. Amanah insisted Marzuk be investigated but no probe was carried out. Yet police acted swiftly against Tan,” said Zaid, as quoted by Malaysiakini.

He stressed Marzuk’s post was clearly racial in tone, yet no action was taken. By contrast, Tan was detained for asking what Zaid described as a “stupid and insensitive” question.

“He certainly did not think carefully when asking the question… but he is not a racial provocateur. His statement, while disappointing to many in the audience, could not possibly cause public disorder or racial tension,” Zaid added.

Meanwhile, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng accused the authorities of being repressive and demanded Tan’s immediate release.

“I demand that former Free Malaysia Today journalist Rex Tan be freed immediately from Royal Malaysia Police custody.

Tan has already apologised publicly, admitted his mistake, expressed regret and pledged full cooperation. In this situation, detaining him after midnight, following his summons to the Dang Wangi police headquarters, is repressive and excessive,” Lim wrote on Facebook.

Lim said the arrest raises serious questions about transparency and fairness in law enforcement, noting that many politicians who have made racially charged remarks have never been detained despite multiple police reports.

“There are even politicians linked to corruption scandals involving billions seized from their aides, yet they remain free. Why is Tan treated differently? Is the law harsh only on certain individuals but lenient on the influential?

“Law enforcement must not be used as a tool for selective punishment. This practice must stop as it undermines justice and the rule of law,” he said.

Tan, who resigned from FMT yesterday, was accused of asking a racially-tinged question during a Kuala Lumpur forum featuring UK politician George Galloway titled “Gaza Exposes the Complicity of International Actors.”

He was detained late last night after being summoned to Dang Wangi police headquarters and is now being investigated under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code.

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago also warned that Tan’s arrest could set a bad precedent for criminalising free expression, including ignorant questions.

“If arrests become the response to poor political questions, we cross a dangerous line: one that invites abuse of state power. Challenge and rebut ideas fiercely, but don’t criminalise free expression.

“Threats, & harassment against Tan are unacceptable, no matter how misguided his question was. It cannot be a licence for mob punishment,” Santiago said on X. – January 17, 2026