Cops probe Twitter user for posting video mocking PM

A Twitter user who was investigated by the police twice within less than two months has questioned the freedom of expression under the administration of the coalition government.

Salim Iskandar, an avid user of Twitter and a vocal government critic, frequently posts tweets mocking Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's coalition government.

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said the first time he was summoned to the federal police headquarters was on May 17, with the investigation lasting approximately two hours.

He was called up to Bukit Aman again yesterday at 10am.

"I've had my mobile phone confiscated by the police twice now," he said when contacted.

MalaysiaNow learnt that he was questioned on two Twitter posts: one that was critical of the coalition government and another of Anwar claiming to speak with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the phone.

Salim said that he had criticised Anwar's administration in the posts, including Communications and Multimedia Minister Fahmi Fadzil, whom he says has not been performing his duties.

"I only provide constructive criticism because the people are suffering.

"If no one calls out on the government like me, who else can we rely on?" he said.

MalaysiaNow previously reported that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) attempt to get Twitter to take down four tweets by Salim failed.

"As Twitter strongly believes in defending and respecting the voice of our users, it is our policy to notify our users if we receive a legal request from an authorised entity (such as law enforcement or a government agency) to remove content from their account," the US-based social networking service said in an email to Salim on June 30, informing him of MCMC's request.

Salim meanwhile hailed the police for acting professionally throughout both investigations, adding that he did not feel intimidated or threatened during the process, which allowed him to cooperate with them.

"But as an ordinary person, I still feel anxious because people can abuse their power," he added.