Badrul’s lawyer,Rafique Rashid Ali, confirmed that he was arrested at about 2.30pm today.

Rafique said the arrest was unnecessary as Badrul had already agreed to meet with the investigating officer at Bukit Aman tomorrow.

“This action by the authorities is regrettable especially because there were no untoward incidents during the Turun Anwar rally,” he said in a statement.

“We are contacting the investigating officer and will provide further updates from time to time.”

Earlier today, Badrul said in a Facebook post police had informed him that he was under investigation.

He said he was being probed under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 for doing or attempting to do any act with a seditious tendency, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities, and Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

He said he is also being investigated under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for using indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour that could lead to a breach of the peace.

Badrul had been scheduled to present himself at Bukit Aman tomorrow, and hold a press conference after that.

On Saturday, the Perikatan Nasional rally saw a crowd, estimated at 18,000 by police, call for the resignation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.