Military Uniforms, Weapon Replicas In Cosplay Can Invite Investigation: Police

KUALA LUMPUR: Costumes representing characters from anime, video games and films have become a common sight at cosplay events organised around the capital.

Characters from series such as Naruto, Sailor Moon, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Genshin Impact, as well as superheroes from DC and Marvel comics, are among the popular choices among participants.

However, some participants choose to wear Nazi and Imperial Japanese military uniforms from the World War II era, complete with weapon replicas as part of their costumes.

Although considered part of an expression of interest and hobby, police have informed that the wearing of such costumes and the use of certain accessories are actually subject to legal provisions.

Bukit Aman Community Crime Prevention and Security Department Director Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said wearing uniforms resembling security forces, including foreign troops, at cosplay events is not automatically an offence.

He however said such an action could become an offence if done with the intention or in circumstances that mislead the public into believing that the individual is an actual military member, and would thus be investigated under Section 140 of the Penal Code.

“If the costume is also accompanied by replica weapon props such as rifles, replica pistols or unlicensed airsoft weapons, the individual can be investigated under Section 36 of the Arms Act 1960 (Act 206).

“In addition, participants must also pay attention to the prohibition on carrying replica firearms that resemble real weapons, scheduled sharp weapons including keris, machetes, spears, axes, knuckle dusters and samurai swords, even in replica form,” he told Bernama.

Noor Hisam said in the first six months of this year, one investigation paper was opened under Section 140 of the Penal Code following an incident in Gombak, Selangor, when a viral video showed a man wearing attire resembling security forces and possessing a suspected replica weapon, but no arrests were recorded.

He said under Section 36 of Act 206, a total of 63 investigation papers were opened with 95 arrests made in the same period.

“Ignorance of the law cannot be used as an excuse to escape any legal action,” he said, while advising cosplay and anime event participants and organisers to always be cautious, as well as ensuring that their costumes and prop usage do not violate the law.

As such, Noor Hisam encouraged organisers to provide clear guidelines to participants regarding prohibited costumes and accessories, and to display them at the registration area.

He said the measure is not intended to restrict the creativity of the cosplay community, but rather to ensure that the activity can continue in a safe, orderly and law-abiding environment.

Meanwhile, an organiser who only wished to be known as Lman said the organisation focuses on anime, manga and video games, rather than military attire.

“This event is more about the anime characters that participants are interested in, but when some participants wear war-era military uniforms, the public may get the wrong impression about cosplay events,” he said.

He said his team places emphasis on legal compliance by setting guidelines that prohibit participants from bringing sharp objects or weapon replicas that could pose safety risks.

“We will ask participants about the accessories they bring and inspect them first. If they do not comply with the conditions, they may be asked to leave the location or change their attire,” he said.

A private university student who only wished to be known as Daniel, 19, said the military costume he wore was not intended to impersonate a military member or promote any particular ideology.

Instead, he said the wearing of such attire is part of his interest in history and historical re-enactment activities.

“I am interested in history and this uniform because of its design, and I see this attire as part of history… I wear it because of my interest, not to support any ideology, and I only wear it within the event area,” he said, adding that he bought the attire online.

Sharing the same interest, a private sector worker who only wished to be known as Muiz, 27, said he and a group of individuals have been active in the historical re-enactment community for the past two years and attend cosplay events as a platform to interact with friends who share similar hobbies.

Another participant who only wished to be known as San, 27, said the weapon replicas he carried were made of wood and plastic, and also acknowledged that every cosplay event has guidelines that must be followed.

Media Selangor