She criticised Anwar for continuing to blame others for his weak government performance.
April 19, 2026, 04:26 PM
A Malaysian TikToker who criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a viral video was reportedly allegedly arrested and remanded for three days, triggering widespread backlash with multiple parties raising concerns over the lack of official disclosure surrounding her detention.
Anwar’s leadership criticised
The woman, identified in Malaysian media reports as 38-year-old Emeela Mat Sam, is known online by the name “Jorjet Myla” and runs the TikTok account Seketul Jorjet Myla, which is still accessible.
While the video in question has been taken down, copies of it still continue to circulate online.
In the video, she criticised Anwar’s leadership and suggested that he appeared more suited to opposition politics than governing, saying it might be better for him to return to being an opposition leader, according to Malaysiakini.
PMX, shorthand commonly used in Malaysia for Prime Minister Anwar, who is the country’s 10th prime minister, was also accused in the clip of continuing to blame others for what she described as weak government performance.
Malaysian media reported that she was allegedly investigated under the Sedition Act, a law has remained controversial in Malaysia because Anwar’s ruling coalition, Pakatan Harapan, had previously pledged to repeal it when campaigning in general elections.
Police defend use of Sedition Act
Malaysia’s federal police later defended the use of the law in such cases.
M Kumar, director of the criminal investigation department at Bukit Aman, Malaysia’s federal police headquarters, said provocative online remarks about government policies and current affairs could create hostility if left unchecked, reported Free Malaysia Today.
He said in a statement:
“Such actions clearly go against the law, especially the Sedition Act 1948, which prohibits any action that incites hatred against the royal institution and the government.”
Kumar also warned that freedom of expression did not amount to a licence to spread falsehoods, insults or provocative remarks that could threaten public order, adding that stern action would be taken against those who misuse online platforms.
However, he did not refer to Jorjet Myla specifically.
Detention draws criticism from across political spectrum
The reported, alleged detention has since drawn criticism from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), which described the alleged arrest as a “disproportionate and unlawful measure”.
Suhakam said Malaysia’s Federal Constitution guarantees the right to express dissent and criticism on matters of public interest, including views concerning public officials and government leadership.
It added that using criminal sanctions in such cases risks shrinking civic space and creating a chilling effect on free expression, while warning that public officials must tolerate a higher degree of scrutiny.
Politicians from across the spectrum in Malaysia have criticised the alleged move, with Anwar’s opponents the youth wing of Bersatu and PAS’s Young Women and Information chiefs weighing in, but also DAP Women’s leader Sangeet Kaur Deo, who is the daughter of the late DAP veteran Karpal Singh and a member of Anwar’s own political coalition.
Malaysian lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, who has represented opposition-linked political figures, also criticised the arrest, questioning whether Malaysians were no longer allowed to openly criticise leaders despite Anwar previously saying he accepted criticism, as cited by Focus Malaysia.
Husband says she remains traumatised
After her release, Emeela’s husband told Malaysiakini that she remained traumatised after spending three days in lock-up and was not ready to speak publicly.
“She did not share much with me about what happened during her time in remand.”
He said she had lost her appetite during detention, adding that police had seized her mobile phone.
He also said the family had not yet been told what charges, if any, might follow.
“I think that’s best for now, let her rest until everything settles down.”
Malaysiakini added that police has been “tight-lipped” about the alleged arrest, apparently having failed to respond to the news outlet’s queries since Tuesday, Apr. 14.
Top images via seketul.jorjet.myl/TikTok