KUALA LUMPUR — Ex-journalist Rex Tan was released this afternoon on police bail, his lawyer Rajsurian Pillai said.
Rajsurian told New Straits Times that Tan, who resigned from Free Malaysia Today yesterday, was released at around 1.15pm after police completed recording his statement.
Rajsurian said earlier police had initially requested a four-day remand for Tan, but were only granted one day by a magistrate.
However, Tan’s phone remains seized by the police to facilitate investigations, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said, according to Harian Metro.
Tan, 30, was arrested at about midnight last night over the circulation of a video showing him allegedly raising racial issues in Malaysia during a public lecture on Gaza.
Kumar said three police reports had been lodged over the issue, “reflecting public concern over the incident”.
Tan is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 505(c) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Meanwhile, speaking on Tan’s arrest today, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail acknowledged the arrest had drawn criticism, but added that police had to carry out their duties when complaints were received.
“There are some who disagree with (Tan’s) arrest on the principle of freedom of expression, while there are others who think that the matter has crossed the line.
“When there is a report, police have to consider the next steps. Investigations have to be conducted…when the person is needed to help facilitate investigations, he can be called in at any time,” Saifuddin told Bernama at an event at the Kulim Hi-tech Park in Kedah.
Saifuddin also noted that FMT had apologised over Tan’s question and said this showed that the news portal did not hold a similar stand as the ex-reporter’s.
The minister said police will submit their findings to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.
On Jan 12 at a forum featuring UK politician George Galloway, Tan had posed a question that allegedly contained elements of racism and incitement when he touched on Malaysia’s racial context, implying that it was similar to Israel’s oppression of Palestinians.
“In the session, the journalist raised a question on the Palestinian issue by comparing it with racial conditions in Malaysia.
Tan, as well as FMT, have publicly apologised, with Tan expressing deep regret over the poorly framed question, acknowledging that it was irrelevant to the event and failed to take into account the sensitivity of the topic.
The Malaysian Media Council (MMC), formed for industry self-regulation, to handle complaints and to facilitate dialogue between media and authorities, among other roles, has meanwhile condemned Tan’s arrest.
“Heavy-handed and punitive action against a journalist has a chilling effect on the media and public discourse, and reflects poorly on a government that has repeatedly committed itself to upholding freedom of expression and press freedom,” MMC said in a statement.
It noted that Tan’s public apology and resignation from FMT showed he had taken responsibility for his actions.
“He has also expressed his willingness to fully cooperate with the ongoing police investigation. In this context, his arrest and detention appear unnecessary and punitive.
“More fundamentally, this case raises serious questions about the risks faced by media practitioners: can a journalist be deemed to have committed sedition or caused public mischief simply by asking a question at a public forum?
“Incidents like this highlight the increasing occupational and legal risks that journalists face in Malaysia, including the threat of investigation, detention, and other punitive measures, even when performing routine journalistic duties,” MMC said. – January 17, 2026