“The government should, instead, look into abolishing the Sedition Act or, at the very least, amending it in line with its reform agenda,” he said. Media group Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) had earlier expressed concern over Tan’s arrest as well. Tan was arrested at about midnight under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and Section 505(c) of the Penal Code. This comes after he raised a sensitive question, allegedly containing racial elements, during a public lecture in Kuala Lumpur. Following the controversy over the question, Tan issued an apology on Thursday (Jan 15) and subsequently resigned from FMT.

Source: The Star January 17, 2026 11:10 UTC