Malaysian authorities have arrested five employees of a private news website and placed them under investigation for sedition, in what is seen as the government's latest attempt at stifling dissent and free speech.
The Malaysian Insider says three editors, a publisher, and a chief executive were arrested, apparently over a recent report that claimed the government had rejected a proposal for allowing tough Islamic law punishments.
Police raided the news portal's offices late Monday, seizing computers and other equipment and arresting three editors: managing editor Lionel Morais, features editor Zulkifli Sulong, and Malay news editor Amin Iskandar.
Publisher Ho Kay Tat and chief executive Jahabar Sadiq were also detained on Tuesday after they showed up to answer questions at a police station, the Insider said.
If found guilty, they could face up to three years in prison.