The Malaysian police force can check on your phone if there is a reasonable suspicion

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Perhaps bad news to most people, the Malaysian police force now has the authority to check your mobile phone if there is suspicion or anything related to a crime. The news was confirmed by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain yesterday, under Section 23 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

It may sound like an invasion of privacy, but Razarudin clarified that this is due to Section 249 of the AKM 1998 authorising access to computerised data, which includes mobile phones. Additionally, Section 116B of the Criminal Procedure Code also grants access to mobile phones, should the user be suspected of committing a crime.

Section 292 of the Penal Code can be used when checking mobile phones as well if any crime or obscene materials are found during the inspection, leading to an arrest without a warranty. Razarudin said no party can question the authority on checking phones during roadblocks.

That being said, not everyone in the police force can just simply perform the act. Only higher ranks such as an inspector or above are authorised to check mobile phones. Also, the police can still check a person's phone if there is a police report filed against them, if they are under investigation or if there are suspicions.