KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 — Police confirmed today that Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) vice-president Muhammad Fauzi Asmuni is under investigation for sedition after he allegedly called on Muslims nationwide to be aggressive when defending Islam.

The Malay Mail Online understands that the probe under Section 7 of the Sedition Act 1948 was kicked off after a police report was lodged against the activist in Petaling Jaya on February 19, 2014.

Both Muhammad Fauzi, and a reporter from Isma’s website, are expected to give their statements to the police tomorrow.

Section 7 of the Act requires anybody who receive any seditious material to deliver it to the police.

If convicted under the Act, the Isma leader can be fined up to RM5,000, or jailed up to three years, or both, for the first offence.

In a 16-minute clip on video-sharing site YouTube uploaded on February 12, Muhammad Fauzi was featured urging Muslims nationwide to be aggressive in defending Islam, which is allegedly under attack from certain bands of non-Muslims.

In the video titled “Islam diancam, kita perlu agresif” (Islam is under threat, we must be aggressive), Muhammad Fauzi urged Muslims to emulate the Prophet Muhammad in all his aspects, including waging war, instead of just offering the prophet’s message of peace.

Muhammad Fauzi said unnamed anti-Muslim groups were baiting the country’s Muslim majority and causing the current racial and religious tensions in the country.

He also slammed Muslims who tried to deal with anti-Muslim groups through diplomacy and dialogue, saying the former had misinterpreted Islam by only reading stories about the Prophet Muhammad’s kindness.

Following the video, a human rights coalition had also told the police last week that Isma’s call for aggression was tantamount to criminal intimidation.

The Coalition of Malaysian NGOs (Comango) pointed out to law enforcement that Isma’s call must not be ignored as it was an alleged violation of Section 503 of the Penal Code.

Under Section 503 of the Penal Code, criminal intimidation is punishable by up to two years of jail or fine or both.