Malaysian police have detained three actors connected to a 2018 theatre performance that allegedly mocked the Rukun Negara, the country’s national philosophy. The arrests were made in the states of Selangor and Johor as part of an ongoing investigation into the matter.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk M Kumar stated that the suspects were being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. He noted that of the original five actors involved in the performance, one has died while another is believed to be residing in the United Kingdom. Authorities are also attempting to identify the person who uploaded the video of the performance online.

The performance took place behind closed doors at the Penang Art Centre in 2018 and reportedly did not prompt any police reports at the time. According to Comm Kumar, searches of the arrested actors’ phones, electronic devices, and social media revealed no recordings of the performance or related content involving the Rukun Negara.

The investigation was reopened following a complaint filed at the Jalan Tun Razak police station regarding the circulation of a video approximately ten minutes long. The Kuala Lumpur police chief, Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus, confirmed that the Bukit Aman Classified Crime Investigation Unit had taken over the case. The video purportedly shows the five actors reciting the principles of the Rukun Negara while inserting remarks that have been described as containing racial sensitivities.

Authorities are currently probing the background of the theatre troupe and the circumstances surrounding the 2018 production. Comm Kumar indicated that the investigation would be concluded before the case files are forwarded to the Attorney General’s Chambers for further direction.

No official statements have been made by the suspects or the theatre troupe regarding the allegations. The matter remains under active investigation.