In a video recording, which went viral last week, Hew is said to have told his audience during a Pakatan Harapan (PH) ceramah that the Chinese community should take advantage of Malay disunity.

Lawyer Vince Tan said a magistrate had granted the order during a bail proceeding held at the police district headquarters in Dang Wangi today despite his objections.

“We took the position that the police could complete their probe without detaining Hew,” he told FMT.

Tan said Hew’s legal team is now discussing the possibility of filing for revision at the High Court tomorrow to challenge the remand order.

He said Hew was arrested at his home in Puchong last night.

In a statement, Pahang police chief Ramli Yoosuf said Hew’s speech, which was delivered in Cantonese in Raub on Nov 17, contained elements that allegedly could threaten public order.

Hew is being investigated under Section 4A of the Election Offences Act 1954 for allegedly making a statement that promoted ill-will, discontent or hostility between people of the same race or different races.

The 52-year-old is also being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code for statements which can threaten public peace and under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of telecommunication network facilities.

Ramli added that Hew is also being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for his speech at a political event in Taman Pandan Mawar, Melaka, on Nov 18.

Tan said his client is also being probed under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.

Hew left DAP in 2016. After last week’s video went viral, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said Hew’s stance did not reflect PH’s own position on the matter.