Crime & Justice
CROSS-SPECTRUMBROAD COVERAGE
Police detain three actors linked to viral play mocking Malaysia's Rukun Negara
Three of the five performers in a 2018 closed-door play that mocked the Rukun Negara have been taken into police custody and later released on bail.
The Federal Criminal Investigation Department said a man and two women were arrested in Selangor and Johor on Monday as part of the probe. After statements were recorded, they were freed on bail and no performance footage was found on their devices. Of the five actors, one is deceased and another is believed to be residing in the United Kingdom. The play was staged at a Penang performing-arts centre in 2018 and gained viral attention online.
Why it matters
It underscores Malaysia's enforcement of laws protecting national symbols and the limits on artistic expression.
In this story
theatre performanceRukun Negaraactors detainedpolice bailviral videoPenang arts centre
