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MAKE NO COMMENTS. READ AND DIGEST. KEEP YOUR OPINION TO YOURSELF.

AND PLEASE DON’T CLICK ‘LIKE’ ON MY FB PAGE!

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Malaysiakini

4:11PM Aug 21, 2014

Penang CID chief defends ‘I love Israel’ probe

Police are merely carrying out their duties in investigating cases under the Sedition Act because the law exists, Penang Criminal Investigation Department chief Mazlan Kesah said today.

Mazlan said the police were enforcers of the law and acted on the instructions from their superiors.

In the case of a Form Five student who is currently being investigated under the Sedition Act after clinking ‘like’ on a “I Love Israel” Facebook, Mazlan said the on-going investigation followed a report lodged by the student after receiving threats for his action from several teachers.

The investigation has drawn flak from various quarters.
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Mazlan acknowledged that clicking ‘Like’ on a page does not necessarily mean the individual supported the cause the page was promoting.

“Perhaps he wanted to be updated with the information. If he did not like the page, how to get information?”

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/272309

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Malaysiakini

8:39AM Aug 23, 2014

The audacity of ‘liking’ Israel

YOURSAY

‘So it’s okay to be anti-Semitic but seditious to ‘like’ Israel?’

Penang CID chief defends ‘I love Israel’ probe

Anonymous #039163649: I hope Penang Criminal Investigation Department chief Mazlan Kesah’s superiors come to their senses on this one.

They are putting a good 17-year-old student under tremendous stress and trauma not knowing what is going to befall him. What crime has the kid committed for the ‘like’ click to ‘I Love Israel’ website found on his Facebook page, which he said was not done deliberately?

Why destroy his future for nothing? Did rioting take place on account of the click? Were there demonstrations on account of the click?

Even the teachers who did the posting appear to have regretted and even apologised to the boy. I believe the teachers never imagined that the matter will be taken this seriously.

Nobody made a police report against the boy. The cops acted on their own initiative when the student made a report against the threats. And yet Muhyiddin Yassin said, cops are slow to act on non-Malays.

Malaya: To investigate a sedition charge case, the PDRM (Royal Malaysian Police) should first establish whether the boy has indeed committed a crime otherwise it is a waste of monies, energy and resources.

The boy should instead engage a lawyer to file a case against the PDRM for harassment.

Anonymous_1371547149: This is pure bullying by the teachers and the police. They are a shame to the teaching profession and the police force respectively.

I hope this young man will not suffer psychological harm from the continuous interrogation by the police and the subtle intimidation by the teachers.

Be strong, young man, know that we are all on your side. I’m sure if he had ‘liked’ Hamas instead of Israel, none of this would have happened.

He would instead be the darling of the school and an example to be emulated.

Oriole: This is a despicable witch-hunt of a child. And this boy is to sit for his SPM in a short while.

Where is the state government on this matter? A child in Penang is facing state persecution, through the misdeeds of his teachers. Is the chief minister concerned about this?

And why have we not heard from human rights monitors in the country, aside from Suhakam?

Fairnessforall: This issue only shows the stupidity and ignorance of those teachers and others who hit out at this student.

Instead of investigating the teacher and the other idiots who threatened this teenager, they are investigating him.

Why aren’t the authorities investigate those who ‘like’ ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria)? Why investigate a boy who ‘liked’ the ‘I love Israel’ Facebook page? After all, liking or loving Jews is not seditious.

Rupert16: The police had better use their resources for more important things like crime prevention and going after illegal immigrants and criminals.

Maybe Form 5 students are easier to deal with. Also, why not go after the Muslim convert who called Selangor a “babi” state – that certainly is more seditious than what the Form 5 student did.

Abasir: Is it not also the duty of the police to investigate Tee Chuan Seng aka Ridhuan Tee aka Uztaz Ridhuan Tee Abdullah who reportedly said Selangor might have to be renamed Selangor Darul Babi?

Wanderer: Yes, I love Israel, Mazlan. You have a problem with that?

A case of loving Israel could be for many reasons – their brilliance in converting the barren land for agriculture, their political ideas secretly transferred to Umno and many more of their intellectual/technological achievements.

But did I say I embrace their Zionist ideology or admire their ruthless treatments to the Palestinians?

Keturunan Malaysia: Well done, Mazlan, after you have put ‘your foot in your mouth’, you are now trying to justify it.

Speaking Sense: If I make a police report that my neighbour’s feet stink, does this mean the police must also carry out a full-scale investigation? No wonder, the real criminals are laughing all the way to freedom.

KDP: So in Malaysia it is okay to be anti-Semitic but it’s seditious to love Israel? How can loving Israel be construed as sedition? Was there an attempt to subvert peace in this land?

Is the person a clear and present danger to society?
MingXiang: I’m awaiting the report from Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). This is a serious case and the police must come down hard on the kid. Imagine he has got the audacity to ‘like’ Israel.

Does he not know that it is a serious crime to do so? But ignorance is no excuse.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/272460

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YAHOO! NEWS MALAYSIA

Could simply having an opinion be considered seditious?

The Malay Mail Online 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — Following the police’s sedition probe against a Penang teenager for “liking” an “I love Israel” Facebook page, human rights activist Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan has questioned how just having an opinion could be seen as seditious.

Maintaining that the teenager’s action does not amount to an offence under the Sedition Act 1948, she said the probe against him would only strike fear in the hearts of Malaysians and deter the country’s youth from voicing their views.

“Of course I think it is appalling that they are going after a young student for just liking a page. It doesn’t make sense. Since when is it seditious to have a point of view?” the lawyer told Malay Mail Online when contacted recently.

She said the teacher’s behaviour in circulating and highlighting the boy’s alleged “like” was even “more shocking”.

To probe the 17-year-old teenager for not sharing the same point of view as others is “not just a waste of time” but a “dangerous precedent” as it would discourage the younger generation from formulating their own opinions on issues, she repeated.

“My concern is the message that we are sending to the youth, what are we telling them by doing this? Are we saying they can’t have a view which is a different view?”

“You are stifling fundamental liberties and you are scaring the youth,” the former Bar Council president said, referring to the right to freedom of speech guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.
…

But Ambiga said Malaysians should not “give in to irrational and emotional responses” despite their protests against Israel’s actions, adding: “We are all against what is happening to Gaza, but I think we really have to be measured in our responses to our own people”.

The activist also expressed concern over how the sedition investigation would affect the teenager as it would leave a “lasting impression” on the 17-year-old student — who will be sitting for his SPM this year.

“I think there must be wisdom and I am hoping police will come to their senses and forget about the Sedition Act charge,” she said.

Could simply having an opinion be considered seditious?

https://my.news.yahoo.com/could-simply-having-opinion-considered-seditious-023300939.html

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The sedition probe had raised an outcry among Twitter and Facebook users as well as criminal lawyers, who saw it as a waste of resources.

Suhakam also criticised the police for initiating the sedition, and said it was an overreaction on their part.

http://shar.es/1ne8b8 

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The MCMC bares its ‘fangs’!

Star

Saturday August 16, 2014 MYT 8:29:52 PM

Think before you click, warns MCMC

PETALING JAYA: Think before you ‘click’ anything on the Internet or face the wrath of the law,  says the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Its chairman, Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, said any ‘tweet’, ‘share’ and comments, although made unintentionally, that could hurt the feelings or have negative effect on others might cause the authorities to take legal action.

“Now, everyone is connected and can be easily found in the social media. So, teach yourself to be more ethical, responsible and wiser when using the social media,” he told a press conference after launching phase two of the ‘Click Wisely, Meet Up!’ programme here.

Think before you click, warns MCMC

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The Malaysian Insider

Teen traumatised by controversy over Israel FB page like

The teenager who allegedly “liked” a pro-Israel page on Facebook is traumatised both by the reaction of the police to investigate him for sedition and the condemnation of him by Internet users, said a source close to his family.

Both the Form Five science student and his family are also baffled over the police decision to probe into him for sedition, as the 17-year-old did not “like” the “I Love Israel” page, nor did he make any remarks or postings that were seditious in nature, said the family friend.
…

The spokesperson said when the boy went back to school after a few days, he was initially shunned by some of his schoolmates and teachers.

“He was given the cold shoulder by his schoolmates… they didn’t want to talk to him. But he wasn’t bullied.

“It is a little better now. Some of his Muslim schoolmates are talking to him again,” he said.

The spokesperson also said the family were worried about the sedition probe.

“This boy is one of the top students in school… a regular straight-A scorer. He is not the type who goes around looking for trouble.

“He also had no problems before with the teacher, who made the Facebook posting about the ‘like’.”

The spokesperson, who is a social activist and property agent, said the boy comes from a poor family – his father is a lorry driver and his mother a cleaner – and they did not wish to talk to the media.
…

The spokesperson also said the boy, his parents, the school principal, teachers and committee members of the parent and teacher association attended a meeting in their school in Taman Tasek Mutiara in Simpang Ampat, Penang, yesterday to discuss the issue.

During the meeting that went on for about two hours, the teacher responsible for the Facebook posting apologised for what she did, he said.

“So did another teacher, who had called for the boy to be boycotted for allegedly liking the ‘I Love Israel’ page,” he said, adding that they both taught the boy.

He said the family accepted their apologies but were still worried about the threats against their son.
,,,

He said the director told everyone at the meeting that he wanted the issue settled and not dragged on further.

The director also told the boy to continue to study hard, he said.

http://shar.es/1ne8b8 

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The Penang student who ‘liked’ ‘I love Israel’ Facebook page gets investigated for sedition.

WHAT ABOUT THE TEACHER WHO STARTED IT ALL? A reminder.

Penang education department director Osman Hussain said the teacher responsible for the Facebook posting that led to the student being vilified and threatened on the social network, will be served a reminder not to take to Facebook to discuss her students.

“If she does it again, she will be transferred out of Penang,” he said today, adding that the department’s hands are tied since it is now a police case. – August 13, 2014.

A waste of time and resources, say lawyers about student’s sedition pr … The Malaysian Insider

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Malaysiakini

12:28PM Aug 14, 2014

Cops in a bind over teen who ‘liked’ pro-Israel page

The police are caught in a situation where they would be criticised whether or not they take action against the teenager who allegedly clicked ‘Like’ on a pro-Israel Facebook page, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

“If the police don’t act, people get angry. If the police act, people get angry. This is where the enforcers need to use their discretion,” he told reporters today.

He said this when reporters asked whether it is disproportionate to investigate a Form Five student under the Sedition Act for supposedly clicking ‘Like’ on a Facebook paged called ‘I love Israel’.

The 17-year old has reportedly denied clicking ‘Like’ on the web page and has lodged a police report out of fear for his safety, after being harassed.

Cops in a bind over teen who ‘liked’ pro-Israel page

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Penang teacher gets yellow card over ‘I love Israel’ Facebook uproar

The Malay Mail Online

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 13 — A teacher from Simpang Ampat who triggered an immolation threat after allegedly linking an “I love Israel” Facebook page to her student has been warned she might be transferred to another school.

Penang Education Department director Osman Hussain said today the department takes a serious view of the incident that now involves a police investigation, adding that the secondary school teacher has been reminded of the consequences if she posts any further rant against her students online.

“Let this also be a warning to all teachers in Penang not to go to Facebook and post rants against their students there,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted today.

He also said the department is now holding talks with the school management, the teachers, the students and parents involved to resolve the controversy amicably but warned it will pass similar incidents in future to the police for action.

Osman said teachers must remember that no matter how “stupid or bad” a student, they hold a responsibility to educate and lead by good example.

Penang teacher gets yellow card over ‘I love Israel’ Facebook uproar

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The student is from a school in Taman Tasek Mutiara, Simpang Ampat.

WHICH IS THE SCHOOL?

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13 August 2014

YAHOO! NEWS MALAYSIA

A waste of time and resources, say lawyers about student’s sedition probe

The Malaysian Insider

It is absurd for police to probe a student for sedition for liking a Facebook page titled “I love Israel”, say criminal lawyers, adding that police should not waste their time investigating such frivolous reports.

They said it was impossible to frame a charge under the archaic law as the police had trespassed into a private domain of an individual.

“It is a joke. What is wrong if someone “likes” a Facebook page,” said an annoyed Fahri Azzat.

The lawyer said police were curtailing the freedom of expression, speech and association “just because a section of the Malaysian community disliked Israel”.

“Liking a page in Facebook cannot be an offence under the sedition law,”  Fahri said, adding he did not see how the student could “sow the seed of hatred or incite violence” by simply “liking” a page.

Fahri said such unproductive investigations were going to be disruptive to the lives of potential suspects.
…

Another lawyer M. Visvanathan said police have virtually invaded the privacy of the student just because others disliked the page.

“Is that innocent act going to be a threat to national security and public order,” he asked.

Visvanathan said what the boy did could be an offence if Parliament had enacted a law to disassociate Malaysians with the Jewish state and its people.

“Even then, such a law can be challenged for infringing the rights of citizens, so long as it did not bring any form of harm to individuals and the nation,” he said.

He said police should save its limited resources and investigate serious crimes instead.

“The investigation is going to inflict a psychological scar on the student just because the police want to satisfy the unfounded fear and unhappiness of others,” he said.

A waste of time and resources, say lawyers about student’s sedition pr … The Malaysian Insider

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2:54PM Aug 13, 2014

Schoolboy probed for ‘liking’ pro-Israel page

A Form Five student, who caused controversy at his school by clicking ‘Like’ on a pro-Israel Facebook page, is being investigated for sedition.

This, despite the 17-year-old denying clicking ‘Like’ on that page and lodging a police report, fearing his safety.

Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi  said that he is investigated under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948, Utusan Online reported.
…

Meanwhile, MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon has called for swift punishment for the teachers who had threatened the boy.

He warned that by if such threats could escalate to violence if they are allowed to go on unchecked.

“These teachers have set a wrong example, and I am afraid that without severe punishment, others might actually try to burn the student,” said Chong in a statement.

The anti-Israel movement in Malaysia has reached fever pitch as the Gaza conflict death toll reaches close to 2,000, mostly on the Palestine side.

Business accused of Israel links in Malaysia have faced boycotts while their staff have faced violent threats.

Schoolboy probed for ‘liking’ pro-Israel page

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COMMENTS ON TWITTER (Selected)
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• HAJ1 nak jadi MB ‏@Art_Harun 42s

  The madness and stupidity that IS Malaysia. #gelengkafla http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/penang-teen-who-liked-i-love-israel-facebook-page-under-sedition-probe …
  …

Why are we wasting resources on this? – Penang teen who ‘liked’ ‘I love Israel’ Facebook page under sedition probe http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/penang-teen-who-liked-i-love-israel-facebook-page-under-sedition-probe …
…

South Seberang Perai district police chief ACP Shafein Mamat said more teachers and students from the boy’s school will be called to give their statements.

“We are investigating both aspects, one of him liking the controversial page and another on the threats against him,” Shafein said.

YAHOO! NEWS MALAYSIA

Penang teen who ‘liked’ ‘I love Israel’ Facebook page under sedition probe

The Malay Mail Online

NIBONG TEBAL, Aug 13 — A Form Five student who was threatened with immolation for allegedly liking an “I love Israel” Facebook page is now under investigation for sedition.

The 17-year-old who sought police aid two days ago  was called in for questioning today by the South Seberang Perai police.

“We are investigating him under Section 4 (1) (a) of the Sedition Act,” Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi told reporters at the South Seberang Perai district police headquarters Hari Raya open house here.

“In his statement, he claimed that he had accidentally clicked ‘like’ on the page,” he said, referring to the teen’s recorded statement.

Abdul Rahim added that the police had questioned yesterday a teacher from the same school as the student who had allegedly linked the teen to the “I love Israel” Facebook page.

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The alleged screen capture of the ‘I love Israel’ post from the teen’s Facebook was uploaded by a teacher onto her own Facebook page, with a comment in Malay saying: ‘My student likes Israel? How shameful for me. — file pic

Penang teen gets immolation threat over ‘I love Israel’ Facebook page

The Malay Mail Online

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 — A 17-year-old in Penang is living in fear for his life after a teacher from his school reportedly linked him to a Facebook page declaring “I love Israel”, prompting immolation and boycott threats against the student.

The teen, an Indian Hindu filed a police report yesterday, after discovering Facebook threats against him by his teachers and a schoolmate, with one of the educators allegedly calling for him to be burnt in the latest incident of hate speech online.

A teacher allegedly screencaptured the “I love Israel” post from the teen’s Facebook before uploading it to her own Facebook page and commenting in Malay: “My student likes Israel? How shameful for me”.

Her comment drew calls from another Facebook user who is allegedly a teacher from the same school, to boycott and cut off ties with the student, and a dire message from one supposed teacher: “Kita bakor je hahaha [We just burn hahaha]”.

Jasonkumar, who had accompanied them to the school, said the meeting was cordial and that the deputy principal was “supportive” of the family’s fears, and assured that action would be taken, saying the school had reported the incident to the Seberang Perai Selatan district education department.

According to Jasonkumar, the teen who will be sitting for his SPM this year, is a top scholar.

He related that the fifth former had skipped school yesterday out of fear, but returned for lessons today despite feeling rattled.

Penang teen gets immolation threat over ‘I love Israel’ Facebook page The Malay Mail Online – 4 hours ago

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