Police Record Statements From Three Actors Over Viral 2018 Performance Mocking Rukun Negara

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 – Police have recorded statements from three actors to assist in ongoing investigations into a viral video clip depicting a stage performance that allegedly mocked the principles of the Rukun Negara.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar confirmed that the three individuals, comprising two women and one man aged between 28 and 47, were detained in Selangor and Johor.

Addressing reporters at a press conference, Kumar stated that preliminary investigations revealed the 10-minute performance took place at the Penang Performing Arts Centre in 2018.

“There were no police reports lodged when the performance took place in 2018, and the video did not go viral at the time. Therefore, no action was taken. However, the video has now gone viral,” Kumar said.

Investigators identified a total of five actors involved in the original production. Beyond the three individuals questioned, police confirmed that one actor has passed away, while another is believed to be in the United Kingdom, according to Immigration Department records.

Kumar added that the director of the theatre performance, a foreign national from the UK, has also left Malaysia and returned home.

All three detained actors were subsequently released on police bail after giving their statements. Forensic analysis of their mobile phones and social media accounts yielded no local files or recordings of the performance.

“We recorded their statements and released them on police bail because they cooperated and we had completed checks on their devices. Nothing was found, so there was no justification to remand them,” Kumar explained.

Authorities are now focusing efforts on identifying the individual responsible for circulating the archived recording online. Police are tracing the relevant Internet Protocol address to pinpoint who uploaded the video to social media platforms.

The case is currently being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and will be submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers for further instructions upon completion of the investigation.

The action follows earlier reports that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission was investigating social media accounts sharing the stage performance video for allegedly insulting the Malay Rulers and the national philosophy.

–NMT