The police have obtained a 48-hour remand order for Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) executive director Eric Paulsen to facilitate investigations.

Paulsen, who was arrested last night, is being investigated under the Sedition Act for his tweet which claimed that the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was promoting extremism.

"The magistrate allowed Paulsen’s remand for two days, until tomorrow," LFL co-founder Latheefa Koya told Malaysiakini.

She added that the police initially applied for a four-day remand order.

PKR’s Subang MP Sivarasa Rasiah is representing Paulsen as his lead counsel in the case.

Following the arrest, which drew widespread criticism from various quarters, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the matter should not be politicised.

"I would like to warn certain parties not to politicise or manipulate the issue of the arrest until it can affect public security," he had added.

The police chief also noted that freedom of speech has its limits, and certain boundaries should not be crossed in order to maintain harmony in the country.   

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