KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 — Police arrested former journalist Sidek Kamiso again today for allegedly tweeting an insult against Islam, only to let him go a few hours later.

According to news reports, the father of two had been called to the Dang Wangi district police station for questioning earlier this morning and was arrested as soon as he turned up, under Section 298A of the Penal Code, which punishes those who cause religious disharmony.

“He was arrested under Section 298A of the Penal Code, because they said someone lodged a report against him,” his wife Norlin Wan Musa told news portal Malaysiakini.

She said her husband was released on police bail after nearly three hours of questioning.

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The law prescribes a jail term of not more than five years but no less than two years for those convicted under Section 298A.

The police first arrested Sidek on September 19. He was woken up at about 4.30am and taken from his Petaling Jaya home and sent to Johor Baru to face questioning on his Twitter post allegedly related to the death of PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Dr Haron Din.

Police also searched his house in the predawn raid while his wife and two young children and their friend were there, despite not having a search warrant.

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According to provisions under the  Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act that criminalises online content deemed offensive, the law enforcers are empowered to do so.