TikToker arrested over alleged defamatory claims involving rescued hiker Jaslinda

IPOH, June 12 — Police have arrested a man who is believed to have defamed and tarnished the reputation of the Tok Batin (village chief) of Kampung Orang Asli Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh, in relation to the recent rescue of female hiker Jaslinda Saludin, through a livestream on the TikTok platform.

Tapah police chief Abdul Malik Hasim said the suspect, in his 30s, was arrested at his residence in Ipoh at about 1 pm yesterday and that a remand application would be made in court tomorrow.

Earlier, he said the investigation papers were opened under Section 500 of the Penal Code, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, adding that 11 police reports have been received in connection with the case.

Yesterday, the man issued a public apology via a video recording following controversy over a livestream on his TikTok account, which allegedly defamed the Tok Batin, Mohd Asmmadi Abdullah, and Jaslinda. 

Previously, during a livestream on the same account, the man allegedly claimed that Jaslinda had been ‘kept’ by Mohd Asmmadi for two weeks, and further alleged that if the matter had not gone viral, the Tok Batin might have married the woman. 

Jaslinda, 49, was found safe by villagers in Kampung Lubuk Gaharu on Saturday, (June 6) after being missing for 14 days since May 24 while hiking  high Gunung Batu Putih, which stands at approximately 2,132 metres. — Bernama