Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) executive director Eric Paulsen was released on police bail this afternoon, two days after he was arrested for sedition for a tweet.

Despite being investigated under the Sedition Act, he insisted his comment was within the boundary of the Federal Constitution.

"I think our constitution allows all Malaysians to speak within the laws.

"I believe my speech and tweet was within the bounds of law," the human rights lawyer told reporters shortly after his release at the Dang Wangi police station about 4.30pm.

He said this when asked whether he would stop making comments in the future.

Describing his arrest as having been "a very difficult time" for him, Paulsen said he would be more discreet in choosing his words when commenting on issues in future.

“This is for sure. Things can go out of control,” he said.

The case is being forwarded to the Attorney-General's Chambers for its consideration as to whether to charge him, he added.

However, Paulsen refused to further comment so as to not jeopardise the case.

“I shouldn’t be in the news, I’m normally the lawyer,” he quipped, with a rather exhausted look.

He said his handphone and laptop that were seized after his arrest have yet to be returned to him.

He had been treated well by the police, during the arrest and when held in custody, Paulsen added.
 


He was accompanied by lawyers Radzlan Jalaludin and Michelle Yesudas and electoral watchdog Bersih programme manager Mandeep Singh.

He also tweeted gratitude to friends and supporters.

"Freedom! It's good to be out fro detention. I'm well and in good spirits.

"Many thanks to friends and supporters who stood by me in solidarity," he wrote two hours after his release.

Paulsen, who was arrested on Monday night, was investigated under the Sedition Act for his tweet accusing the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) of promoting extremism.

"Government needs to address that if serious about extremism," he wrote on Twitter, but he later deleted the tweet.

Jakim publishes its Friday prayer sermons on its website, which are read out in mosques in the Federal Territories and in states without rulers.

Dialogue, not arrest

Earlier, PKR information chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh condemned the arrest, saying it would have been better to engage Paulsen in dialogue.

Syed Ibrahim said that although he does not fully agree with Paulsen’s tweet, he also does not agree with the manner in which they lawyer arrested as well the statements police made on Paulsen, as though he was a fugitive on the run.

“I believe this issue can be handled with dialogue and wisdom, as urged by Islam through the Quran,” he said in a statement today, while citing verses from the holy book.

The verses purportedly exalt wisdom, instruction, and discussion.

Syed Ibrahim (right) was vice-president of the Islamic missionary group, Ikram, before relinquishing his post last month to take on his new post at PKR.

Paulsen was arrested on Monday night for his tweet accusing the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) of promoting extremism in its Friday sermons.

Meanwhile Syed Ibrahim said as that as a matter of principle, Islam is a religion that brings peace and justice, but is also firm against tyranny, disunity and slander.

In this context, it promotes discourse as a means to find truth, and in turn, do good while preventing evil.

“However, these principles will remain just principles if their understanding and implementation are in disarray due to political motives and emotive sentiments.

“Therefore, I urge all parties - whether the government, the police, Jakim, Eric Paulsen, political parties or NGOs - to return to this principle if we truly want to free our country from elements of extremism,” Syed Ibrahim added.


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