KOTA KINABALU, May 22 ― Police will not be able to apprehend UK-based Sabah and Sarawak secession advocate Doris Jones unless she returns to Malaysia.

Sabah Inspector Mohd Shahrizan Yahaya said that Britain has abolished the Sedition Act and does not recognise her crime.

“Interpol is ready to arrest her if she was involved in crimes but unlike Malaysia, the UK has abolished the Sedition Act hence it is difficult for them to arrest her,”  he said.

Shahrizan said that police will arrest her upon her return to the country.

A warrant of arrest has been issued for Jones, identified as Doris Yapp Kim Youn, since January this year for promoting secession through social media.

She is believed to be behind a Facebook page “Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia” which aims to promote awareness of Sabah and Sarawak rights within Malaysia and controversially also promotes discourse on secession.

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said that Malaysian police will contact Interpol for assistance to locate and arrest Jones.

Jones herself has repeatedly denied being contacted by authorities or interpol in the UK.

Some 14 people have been arrested for “seditious” activities under the SSKM banner in Lahad Datu and Tuaran, soliciting signatures for a petition to support a review of the Malaysian Agreement.

Five people will stand trial next month.