KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 — A man was arrested yesterday in Langkawi, Kedah over a Facebook post allegedly insulting Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Langkawi district police posted a statement, also on Facebook, to say the man also allegedly insulted Islam.

It added that the man will be investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, which covers the improper use of network facilities.

The investigation stemmed from police reports lodged by several non-governmental groups this week.

The man has been remanded until May 20 for the probe.

The arrest was criticised by lawyers and lawmakers such as Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Syahredzan Johan, and PPBM Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, according to the Malaysiakini news portal.

Ambiga urged the police to break such "old habits” while Muar MP Syed Saddiq said Dr Mahathir would have "laughed off” the slur.