KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu information committee member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, was arrested by police last night, and his remand started today.
This was confirmed by his lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, to reporters at the Dang Wangi police station earlier today.
He said that Badrul had been arrested at Tapah’s rest-and-recreation area in Perak around 7 last night and was brought to Dang Wangi’s police station.
He also confirmed that Badrul was arrested and remanded over his comments, which were posted on his Facebook page, insinuating the alleged claims of a casino to be opened in Forest City, Johor, as the “financial hub” announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim previously.
In his post, Badrul also thanked Bloomberg, Singapore’s Straits Times and The Business Times for publishing reports on the matter.
“Currently, Badrul is under investigation pursuant to Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
“Initially, police requested a four-day remand. However, we have objected based on what we consider strong and relevant grounds. Consequently, the court has granted a two-day remand, commencing today and slated to conclude tomorrow, April 29.
“We also don’t discount the possibility for police to seek an extension at this point, as they are permitted to apply for remand twice. Regardless of the outcome, we hope for communication regarding any developments,” he said.
On April 25, Anwar refuted any claims regarding the controversial casino issue, saying that the government would not approve any licence for a casino in Forest City.
According to reports from Bloomberg, Singapore’s Business Times and the Straits Times, it has been claimed that Anwar, who is also finance minister, recently held meetings with Tan Sri Vincent Tan, the founder of Berjaya Group, and Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, the top executive of Genting Group, to discuss the potential opening of a casino in Forest City.
The report also claimed that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim’s representative was also present at the meeting.
The news reports also claimed that the possible development of the said casino would be part of the effort to boost economic development in the area.
Following this, Rafique also questioned the government’s action to defend the King and the prime minister’s names, which were cited in the reports.
“The reports in Bloomberg and Singapore’s The Business Times, as well as its Straits Times, are similar, if not identical, to what Badrul (Chegubard) has raised in his Facebook posts.
“The government needs to investigate how these news outlets could name the King and the prime minister in these reports. It’s a (heavy) accusation, and their names must be defended, as this is not a normal claim. It’s related to a gambling licence; that is clearly against the precipice of Islam,” he said. – April 28, 2024