Man hacks FB account to ask for breast photos

Compiled by NEVILLE SPYKERMAN and CRYSTAL CHIAM SHIYING

A SINGAPOREAN man was arrested after he hacked into a woman’s Facebook account and got several of her friends to send him photographs of their breasts, on the pretence of doing a breast cancer awareness project, Kwong Wah Yit Poh reported.

Police arrested the 27-year-old man near Orchard Road at about 10.30pm on Monday after several women lodged reports.

One of the victims said she received a Facebook message on May 2 from her friend who told her she was doing a breast cancer awareness project and wanted to collect breast photographs from women.

“At first I felt it could be a scam and rejected the request. I also felt uneasy to show my body to others. However, she insisted and told me that she would pay me S$500 to S$600 (RM1,500 to RM1,800) as an allowance.

“After some discussion, I agreed to help my friend finish the project and I also told her that she didn’t have to pay me,” said the victim, who subsequently sent her breast photograph to her friend’s account by Facebook Messenger.

She said she later found out that she was cheated after her friend posted a message on Facebook telling all friends that her account was hacked.

She then called her friend and lodged a police report together with another victim who she found out was also scammed.

NGO slams Facebook user over allegation of Muslims touching dogs in Penang

A non-government organisation (NGO) in Penang has slammed a Facebook page administrator for stirring up racial and political sentiments by claiming that a charity adoption event held last week in George Town was an event for Muslims to touch dogs.

Save Our Strays (SOS) Penang said the allegation was untrue, taking offence at the posting on the page called 'Penang Kini' today.

The NGO's spokesperson, who declined to be named, questioned the intention of the page administrator, who had uploaded a posting that read: "Panas!!! Program orang Islam peluk anjing dah menular ke Penang. Mana Malik Kassim?" (Hot!!! Muslim dog hugging programme has spread to Penang. Where is Malik Kassim?

Malik Kassim refers to Penang religious exco Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim of PKR.

The posting came with a photo of a young woman with a white headscarf posing for a picture while carrying a mongrel puppy at the event held at Penang Times Square from March 4 to 8.

The spokesperson said that the event was a charity programme organised by Han Chiang College students with SOS Penang to promote adoption of strays as pets instead of buying from pet shops.

"It was clearly not an event for Muslims. Why did Penang Kini say it was? Why is Penang Kini stirring it up into something racial and political?

"What is the agenda of the page's administrator? What do they stand to gain from this? We demand they publicly apologise to the students who were trying to do something good," she told The Malaysian Insider today.

The posting had caused uproar on social media today with hundreds of people commenting on the matter. Many of the comments were political and with a racial tone.

Although most Facebook users attacked the woman in the photo, calling her stupid and ridiculed her for alleged lack of faith, there were also others who slammed the page's administrator.

Last year, when activist Syed Azmi Alhabshi held the controversial "I want to touch a dog" event in Kuala Lumpur, which was open to everyone including Muslims, it outraged many Malays, who felt it was an insult to Islam.

He was criticised and turned into a villain, despite his good intention to educate and help people overcome their fear of dogs and learn compassion for all animals, which Islam teaches. – March 9, 2015.

Mark Zuckerberg reveals Pakistani extremist asked that he be sentenced to death over Facebook's refusal to ban content about Mohammed

• Mark Zuckerberg has responded to the recent tragedy that occurred in Paris by recounting a 2010 incident he had with a Pakistani extremist
• Zuckerberg revealed on Facebook that an extremist in Pakistan fought to have him sentenced to death because Facebook refused to ban content about Mohammed
• Pakistan did end up blocking Facebook in the country over the incident in question, Everybody Draw Mohammed Day

By Chris Spargo For Dailymail.com

Mark Zuckerberg has responded to the recent tragedy that occurred in Paris by recounting a 2010 incident he had with a Pakistani extremist.

Zuckerberg wrote on Facebook, 'A few years ago, an extremist in Pakistan fought to have me sentenced to death because Facebook refused to ban content about Mohammed that offended him.'

This as a result of the site's promotion of an Everybody Draw Mohammed Day which took place on May 20 of that year.

We stood up for this because different voices -- even if they're sometimes offensive -- can make the world a better and more interesting place,' explained Zuckerberg.

'Facebook has always been a place where people across the world share their views and ideas. We follow the laws in each country, but we never let one country or group of people dictate what people can share across the world.'

The idea for the day came after Comedy Central decided to censor a not-so-flattering rendering of the prophet on their show South Park.

This act was deemed illegal under Pakistani law, where it is a crime to defile the 'sacred name of Mohammed.'

Read more:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2903788/Mark-Zuckerberg-reveals-Pakistani-extremist-asked-sentenced-death-Facebook-s-refusal-ban-content-Mohammed.html?ito=social-facebook

Netizens troll Najib's Facebook post on floods

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's Facebook post late last night on the flood situation in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia has been trolled by netizens making sarcastic remarks about his response.

A sampling of over 8,700 comments (posted as of noon today) saw netizens ridiculing his holiday and much publicised golf game with US President Barack Obama.

Najib had managed to sneak some time on the golf course on Christmas eve with the US president in Hawaii, The Washington Post had reported.

Checks on flight tracker website FlightRadar24 showed that the official jet, registration number 9M-NAA, arrived in Honolulu from Kuala Lumpur on Dec 20.



Netizen Khairul Anwar Othman on Najib’s Facebook page, commented, “It seems golf is more important than the people of Malaysia.”

“He’s playing golf, it seems… Pak Jib, wait until the coming next election; it’s the end of you,” wrote Sham Jusuh.

Meanwhile, Syed Mohd Azlede stated succinctly: “The PM needs to come home immediately!!!”

'Take stock, PM'

The photograph of the PM on the phone also raised sarcastic comments.

“Is that all he can do, make phone calls? Looks like he used the wrong photo,” wrote Muhd Sufiz, while netizen Ahmad Jim Sung commented, “He’s just posing. Best take stock of yourself.”

“He can get the ‘best actor’ award,” laughed Mohd Azad Amir.

Without mincing her words, Facebook user Faiera Dila wrote: “Yeah, who asked you to vote for BNeraka again?”

Farhan Ismail Fbi pointed out how International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, who is also Jeli MP, had cut short his pilgrimage to Mecca.

“If Tok Pa (Mustapa) can cut short his umrah trip, why not you Datuk Seri Najib come back to Malaysia from Hawaii? Or is Obama Freemason more important than your country and your people? Use ur brain!”

Putera Hazwan meanwhile said that the prime minister need not cut short his holiday. What would help, he added, is for Najib to declare a state of emergency.

In a Bernama tweet today, the number of flood victims in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Perak, states in Peninsular Malaysia, had risen to 103,413 people, an increase of 9,395 victims from last night.

 

MCMC Seeks Facebook, Youtube’s Help

(The Sun Daily) - MCMC, through a special team, will assist police track down suspects attempting to create tension in the country by touching on racial and religious issues.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is ready to discuss with social website owners in the US to close accounts suspected of inciting violence and those touching on racial and religious sensitivities.

MCMC chairman Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi told Bernama, the commission would be applying to Facebook and YouTube of Google Inc to close accounts or videos which have been investigated by the Malaysian police for having elements of stoking Malaysians to join militant activities.

He said MCMC, through a special team, will assist police track down suspects attempting to create tension in the country by touching on racial and religious issues.

“However, we can only apply to the site owners and it depends on their decision. The fact is we cannot restrict the entry of social media and the internet,” he said.

He was commenting on allegations by certain parties that MCMC was slow in acting to close accounts and videos which could threaten public order.

Today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, in tabling a White Paper on combating threats posed by the militant group, Islamic State (IS), in the Dewan Rakyat, appealed for people’s support in the effort to curb the ideology of IS and proposed new laws to eradicate the involvement of Malaysians in militant and violent activities.

Mohamed Sharil said MCMC could not close specific individual accounts or control the entry of videos as the country may have to block the entry of Facebook and YouTube completely.

He said the action would not be in line with the national policy for internet freedom and right to freedom of expression.

As such, he said the best move would be to educate the people in the country on smart internet usage.

He was speaking at a “Click Wisely” campaign at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Ministry kiosk held in conjunction with the Umno general assembly on level three of Putra World Trade Centre here from Nov 22 to 29.

Najib pictured as Hindu priest, NGO files report

 

A photo of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak photoshopped so that he looks like a Hindu priest, has drawn the fury of Malay rights NGO Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM).

MJMM filed a police report yesterday against the Facebook page ‘Bolehland’, which posted the photo.

The photo showed Najib’s face superimposed to the body of a shirtless Hindu priest.

The accompanying caption urged Muslims to embrace Hinduism, which according to the picture, was the religion of Najib’s ancestors.

MJMM president Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah said this was an act of insult against the leader of the nation and called on the police to take immediate action.

“It is strange and surprising that these kinds of pictures are getting more widespread on social media lately. Stern action should be taken,” Rani said.

He also urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to take action against the perpetrators, as issues such as this might cause religious unrest in the country.

Rais: Doctored Najib photo a crime against society

 

A former minister has admonished those responsible for doctoring a photograph, where Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was portrayed as a Hindu priest.

According to Rais Yatim, such actions reflect a "society which is sick in terms of its thinking".

To counter this, the former information, communications and culture minister said ethics must be taught in schools and other institutions of learning.

He also pointed out that all religions stressed on the importance of ethical behaviour.

Rais is currently president of Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) and special adviser to the government on socio-cultural matters, with ministerial status.

Terming the doctored photograph as a "crime against society", Rais said Najib could initiate legal action against those behind it in terms of filing a defamation suit.

However, the veteran politician is confident that the prime minister would not resort to such measures and would instead let the people judge it for themselves.

“But in the long term, we need to teach our society to respect others,” he said today.

Yesterday, the NGO Melayu Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM) lodged a police report against the Facebook page ‘Bolehland’ for publishing the edited picture of Najib.

The picture shows Najib’s face superimposed over that of a Hindu priest.

‘Little room for legal action’

Rais said that using Malaysia’s “backward” laws, there is little room for victims of such publications to take legal action, even within the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act.

Although legal avenues are still open, he said the authorities and the attorney-general would have to study the matter carefully before taking action.

On another matter, Rais said Section 3 and Section 4 of the Sedition Act should be retained. The two sections defines what is a seditious tendency, and spells out the penalty.

Critics of the draconian law had argued that the law defines sedition too vaguely and leaves it susceptible to abuse, while proponents of the law claimed that it is needed to maintain racial harmony and protect institutions such as the royalty, the judiciary and the special position of bumiputras.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had pledged to abolish the law and replace it with the National Harmony Bill, but is now under pressure from right-wing groups to change his stance.

Rais said although not all criticism towards the government is seditious, action should be taken against any incitement towards the Agong because he is a figurehead of the country and no mere individual.

“Likewise, action should be taken against incitement towards judges because they are the symbol of the judiciary,” he said.

As for critics who argue that the Sedition Act invalid as it was passed before Merdeka Day and is not an act of parliament, Rais replied, “They forget that under the constitution, there are transitional provisions from pre-merdeka laws to post-merdeka laws.”

Law lecturer Azmi Sharom’s legal defence team, which is fending off Azmi’s sedition charge, had raised issue with the law’s colonial origins and argued that it is unconstitutional, and hence invalid.

Woman loses over RM107K to Facebook ‘friend’

Police detain 14 Nigerian men aged between 20 and 30, and a local woman in two raids in the Klang Valley.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: A 40-year-old woman lost RM107,350 of her savings to a man whom she believed was going to marry her.

The victim, a civil servant, had befriended the man named ‘Aakil Muhsi’ or ‘Azim’, through Facebook.

Following a report she lodged, police detained 14 Nigerian men aged between 20 and 30s, and a local woman in two raids in the Klang Valley on Wednesday.

Cheras district police chief ACP Chong Kok Sin told a media conference here today, that the suspect persuaded the victim to bank money into his account after promising to marry her.

He said the man requested for more money from the woman last August, purportedly for securing the release of his USD1 million which the Immigration department in Kota Kinabalu had seized.

The vicitm then banked in RM107,350 in stages, into eight accounts, said Chong.

He said police seized seven automated teller machine (ATM) cards, nine laptops and 26 mobile phones during the raids.

ISIS-branded merchandise sold on Amazon, Facebook

Despite Facebook’s claims that a cluster of pages peddling ISIS goods would be taken down, recent searches show many pages containing merchandise with the terrorist group’s symbols still remain on the most popular social-media site in the world.

“At Facebook, we have rules that bar direct statements of hate, attacks on private individuals and groups, and the promotion of terrorism,” said Facebook spokesman Israel Hernandez in June. “We have a team of professional investigators both here in the U.S. and abroad who enforce these rules. Where hateful content is posted and reported, Facebook removes it and disables accounts of those responsible.”

The items offered for sale include baseball caps, clothing and jewelry – many bearing the familiar black flag associated with the terrorist group and its slogan, “Baqiyah.”

One of the Facebook pages is run by a jihadi sympathizer based in Toulouse, France. He posts
pro-ISIS messages on his “Baqiyah Création” page and advertises “high-quality” products made for “true believers,” according to MEMRI’s Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor.

Dave Gaubatz, author of “Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That’s Conspiring to Islamize America,” contends Facebook and other social media sites have a responsibility to shut down the forums used to market radical Islam and mobilize Islamic youth.

“I am a defender of the U.S. Constitution but the Constitution was not designed for enemies of America,” said Gaubatz, a former U.S. Air Force investigator.

“We must stop jihad online because these groups target our children through social media,” he told Fox News.

Many of the websites selling ISIS merchandise are based in Indonesia, where there is growing support for the extremist group. The gear bears slogans like “Mujahideen Around the World United We Stand,” “Fight for Freedom Till The Last Drop of Blood” and “We Stand for ISIS.”

An Indonesian vendor who runs the “Al-Faruq Islamic Store” sells his products through Facebook and eBay. The store’s Facebook banner advertises: “We sell Islamic Flags, Badges, Headbands and other stuff.”

Another vendor named Zirah Moslem now uses Twitter to sell his products from Indonesia after his Facebook page and website were shut down in June of this year, reports MEMRI.

“ISIS is more than likely not producing shirts but indirectly they are benefiting from it,” Scotty Neil, a former Green Beret who founded Operator, a clothing company geared toward special ops soldiers, told Fox News. “I don’t think that T-shirt company X is sending the Islamic State funds, but people wearing these shirts are making an outward statement and that often starts a dialogue and debate that furthers their message.”

ISIS merchandise has also appeared on Amazon.com through various third-party Indonesian vendors using names such as ISIS Cap or Khilafahstuff. Khilafahstuff offers flags and caps in large quantities and offers shipping to anywhere in the world. “All our products are made with professional materials, the quality of our clothing are either organic or 100% cotton, pure quality Allah be blessed,” boasts the page. The store also sells al-Qaida-related merchandise such as flags and caps.

Facebook is now worth more than Toyota

Man jailed a year for insulting Muslims on FB

 

A 36-year-old construction site supervisor was jailed for a year in prison by a sessions court in Kuala Lumpur today.

This was after Chow Mun Fai pleaded guilty to insulting Muslims through a Facebook posting in June this year.

According to The Star Online, Chow was handed the sentence under Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988.

The charge read out to him was initially made under the Sedition Act, but he pleaded guilty to an alternate charge under the Communications and Multimedia Act.

The Facebook post said to have insulted Muslims and the holy fasting month of Ramadan was made under the Facebook account ‘Chow Jack 982' at the KL Performing Arts Centre in Sentul on June 12 this year.

He was also charged with insulting Prophet Muhammad in the same posting.

The Star Online reported that Chow’s counsel Ahmad Ridza Mohd Noh pleaded for a lighter sentence, saying that his client had regretted his actions and took responsibility for them.

But Judge Azman Mustapha handed out the one year sentence, ruling that "public interest trumps mitigation".

DPP Suhaimi Ibrahim prosecuted.

The sentence was immediately been criticised by Lawyers for Liberty and its executive director Eric Paulsen.

In his Twitter account, Paulsen (right) said the judge was "clearly in error" in handing out the sentence as Chow had pleaded guilty and should thus be given "a discount".

"Conviction/heavy sentences for sedition and Internet offences should open our eyes - can't rely on the courts to stand up against Ops Lalang 2," he said.

Paulsen was referring to the recent spate of sedition charges against politicians, activists, and academicians, which he had dubbed as 'Ops Lalang 2'.

Lawyers for Liberty, in its own Twitter account, said Malaysia is becoming a "sad and small country" by jailing citizens for their Facebook comments.

Facebook reflects the people’s aspirations

Jeffrey implied that Salleh was to blame for activists in Sabah and Sarawak turning to the United Nations to bring closure on the unfinished business of decolonisation in Borneo.

KOTA KINABALU: The quiet revolution taking place in the social media, Facebook in particular, is a reflection of the people’s aspirations on the way forward in Borneo after half a century of Federation with the peninsula on the other side of the South China Sea.

That’s the thesis statement in a five-page release by Jeffrey Kitingan expressing outrage on Sabah Speaker Salleh Keruak calling on the authorities to act firmly against those demanding in the social media for Sabah to exit the Federation with the peninsula.

Jeffrey, among others the state assemblyman for Bingkor, implied that he could not believe that the Speaker was using the people’s legitimate aspirations as an excuse to please his political masters in the peninsula and further his political career in the process.

“Salleh is just following the old dictatorial ways and threatening the people instead of listening and addressing the issues raised by them,” said Jeffrey, also Star Sabah chairman. “Salleh is playing politics, playing one upmanship, against his competitors for the Chief Minister’s post.”

Jeffrey expressed surprise that Salleh, as a Sabahan, does not seem to care about “the concerns of the people and the injustices suffered by them” as a result of the way that the Federation has turned out to be since 1963.

He urged that “leaders should listen more and understand the voices of dissension and unhappiness and not jump to conclusions”.

Jeffrey implied that Salleh was to blame for activists in Sabah and Sarawak turning to the United Nations to bring closure on the unfinished business of decolonisation in Borneo.

“I have personally raised the issue in the Sabah Assembly but it was not allowed,” said Jeffrey in reminding Salleh of his role as the Speaker in the incident.

Correct the manipulation of facts and history, not condone it

Dismissing Salleh’s concerns, the Star Sabah Chief explained that the People’s Petition which is now making its way in both Borneo Nations to collect a minimum 300,000 signatures was unfinished business from 1962 when a similar petition before the UN was allegedly sabotaged by the British when the Brunei Rebellion broke out.

He called on everybody, including Salleh in particular, to help make known the true story of the last half century which has been emerging in Facebook since the 50th year of the Sabah, Sarawak Federation with the peninsula. “Salleh should take steps to help correct the manipulation of facts and history, not condone it,” urged Jeffrey. “Let the truth and facts be put correctly.”

Jeffrey stopped short of calling on Salleh to participate in several events planned between now and the run-up to Malaysia Day on Sept 16: Merdeka Walk on Aug 27 from Kudat, Ranau and Keningau to Kota Kinabalu and culminating in an Independence Walk on Aug 31 at the world-famous Tanjung Aru beach in the Sabah capital; a Merdeka Convoy from Ranau to Kundasang on Sept 5; a Love Malaysia Parade in Ranau on Sept 6, a Malaysia Day Commemoration at Batu Sumpah, Keningau on Sept 16; and a Malaysia Day Convoy from Keningau to meet a similar convoy from Sarawak at Limbang.

Cops in a bind over teen who 'liked' pro-Israel page - Malaysiakini

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.

Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi said they schoolboy is being investigated under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act and the police has already recorded his statement.

A person convicted under the provision can be fined up to RM5,000, jailed up to three years, or both, on the first offence.

When asked again whether it is necessary to investigate the teenager for such a serious offence for supposedly clicking ‘Like’, Shabery stressed that he is merely being investigated and no action has been taken against him yet.

“I think he merely ‘liked’ the page, perhaps the police would recommend that no further action should be taken against him. However the police want more information, that’s normal,” he said.

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 (left) said that he is investigated under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948, Utusan Online reported.

The police have taken the statements of the students and a teacher from the Simpang Ampat, Penang school, at the Seberang Perai police district headquarters yesterday.

Several others involved will soon be called to assist with the investigations.

According to The Star the teen was attacked and threatened online by teachers and students of the school after a screenshot showing he liked the pro-Israel page was uploaded on Facebook by a teacher.

Among others, one teacher had allegedly wrote: “Kita bakor je hahaha.” (Let’s just burn him hahaha)

MCA: Take action against teachers

Meanwhile, MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon (right) 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.

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

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.

He was responding to a report that police have started investigating a Form 5 student in Penang after the student had click "Like" on a Facebook page titled "I love Israel".

A student from a school in Taman Tasek Mutiara, Simpang Ampat, the boy's action attracted criticisms and threats from other Facebook users, after one of his teachers saw the "Like" and shared it on her page, criticising him for it.

There were calls to boycott the boy and one Facebook user commented that he should be burnt.

Police said the boy was now living in fear and has since shut down his Facebook page and lodged a police report yesterday.

It was reported that the boy had claimed that he had accidentally clicked "Like" on the pro-Israel page.

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.

Earlier, Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the case is being probed under the Sedition Act.

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.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/a-waste-of-time-and-resources-say-lawyers-about-students-sedition-probe#sthash.oDpRppTT.dpuf

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

By Malay Mail

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]”.

The teen, whose name is withheld as out of fears for his safety, said he was unaware of the “I love Israel” banner that had been linked to his Facebook page.

“They spoke as if I did that and scolded me, and wanted to burn me,” he said in his police report sighted by Malay Mail Online, adding that he feared he might be harmed as a result of the incident.

It is unclear whether the student’s Facebook account was hacked.

A close friend of the student’s family who spoke on their behalf said the teen insisted he did not click “like” on the “I love Israel” Facebook page as alleged.

A police officer confirmed with Malay Mail Online that an investigation is underway into the student’s complaint, but did not disclose further information as he was unauthorised to speak.

The school officials declined comment when contacted, but Malay Mail Online understands the student’s parents have also contacted the school to look into the matter.

“We told them, we want the particular teachers to apologise on Facebook and Twitter and make sure the school clears this boy’s name.

“Those who saw the post, they don’t know anything. They may keep on harassing him without knowing the truth,” Jasonkumar Ramakrishnan, a close friend of the student’s family told Malay Mail Online.

He said he was speaking on behalf of the family as they were not prepared to address the media directly as yet.

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.

Cops may use Sedition Act against online hate-mongers

The Star
by NADIRAH H. RODZI AND CHAN LI LEEN

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are considering using the Sedition Act 1948 against those who incite racial and religious hatred on social media.

It was not an easy task to detain and prosecute those committing such an offence due to the Internet being wide and without borders, said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Zinin.

Mohd Bakri also refuted claims that the police are practising selective investigation and urged the public not to be quick to jump the gun.

“This is what most people don’t understand, each case is different and has different facts and circumstances.

“We would need to identify the real identities and produce solid evidence before taking action against them.

“Without all that, it is hard to drag them to justice. That is why we are considering using the Sedition Act to investigate these sort of cases,” he said at a press conference after the closing of the Ops Selamat 5/2014 at the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan yesterday.

On Friday, Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh said the police were going all out to track down those inciting racial and religious hatred.

Police urged the five people identified as online hate-mongers on social media sites to come forward.

The wanted culprits include a woman with the Facebook profile Vignamona VM, who called for religious schools to be disbanded, a man (FB profile Kelvin Yip), who allegedly insulted Islam over the Muslims’ call to prayer (azan), and a man depicted on YouTube kicking another man of a different race.

The other two are a man whose profile name is “Persatuan Kongsi Gelap Melayu”, responsible for posting provocative messages regarding an alleged racial riot in Klang, and Facebook user Mohd Adam Asyiq Balasubramaniam, who posted racial sentiments.

In Ipoh, Perak deputy police chief Deputy Comm A. Paramasivam denied there had been fights between a group of Malays and Indians in Buntong as claimed on Facebook.

“There were no such fights and the Kampung Baru police station was not surrounded by a group of Indians.

“Neither were there fights in front of the Ipoh Railway Station or at the Gerbang Malam,” he said during a press conference yesterday.

DCP Paramasivam said in actual fact, a motorcyclist had died after being knocked down in front of the police station last month.

“A group of devotees attending a festival at a Hindu temple nearby the police station caught wind of what happened and had gone there to see what was happening. There were no racial riots or murder. It was a road accident,” he said.

Kedah ruler: Social media abuse a threat to peace

The New Straits Times
by ADIE SURI ZULKEFLI

ALOR STAR: SULTAN of Kedah Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah yesterday expressed concern over the alarming incidence of social media abuse, which can pose a threat to racial and religious harmony.

Tuanku Halim said the majority of the younger generation used social media to express their thoughts and views, while respecting racial, religious and traditional sensitivities.

He cautioned that liberalisation, as advocated in Western countries, was seen as modern and open, but it was unsuitable to the way of life in Malaysia.

“Religious and racial ideological tensions in our society, especially on social media platforms, demonstrate disrespect to decisions that had been agreed upon by the forefathers of all races during Independence,” he said in his speech at the opening of the Kedah State Legislative Assembly’s first meeting for the second term at Wisma Darulaman here.

The speech was read by Kedah Regency Council chairman Tan Sri Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah. Present were his wife, Puan Sri Tengku Maliha Tengku Ariff, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, his wife, Tok Puan Norzieta Zakaria, executive councillors and assemblymen.

Tuanku Halim reminded the younger generation that the country, which gained independence in 1957, was built on the strength of the social contract of a multiracial society, based on toleration, moderation and mutual respect.

“Without the wisdom of our forefathers when we were fighting for independence, many current descendants would be stateless citizens. As such, it is imperative for all quarters to understand and respect basic rights, as stated in the Federal Constitution.”

Tuanku Halim hinted that having a uniform education system could be the long-term solution in resolving the issue.

“Perhaps, we are asking ourselves what is happening to our unity and racial integration. Prominent education sociologist E.D. Hirsch, in his book Cultural Literacy, said education was the most important tool in fostering unity in a country. He suggested that a united society could only be achieved through an integrated national education system.”

Tuanku Halim also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of Malaysia Airlines flights MH370 and MH17, and urged the people to condemn Israel’s Zionist regime for committing a systematic genocide against the Palestinians.

At the start of the opening ceremony, the House recited prayers for the late former Kedah Regency Council chairman, Tunku Bendahara Tan Sri Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah, who died in May.

Cops tracing several Facebook account holders

Police are after several Facebook account holders who have posted seditious remarks on their pages.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are tracing Facebook account holders responsible for posting seditious statements on their pages.

Among them are Facebook account holders using the names Vignamona VM, Kelvin Yip, Mohd Adam Asyiq bin Balasubramaniam and Persatuan Kongsi Gelap Melayu (Association of Malay Secret Societies). They are being sought by police to assist in their investigations.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Director DCP Mohmad Salleh said action would be taken against them following numerous reports for posting seditious remarks, as well as statements containing elements of racism and religious insults.

“These irresponsible actions will affect the good relations among the people of various races in the country, if not curbed immediately,” he told reporters at Bukit Aman here today.

He advised the owners of the Facebook accounts concerned to surrender themselves to police to assist in the investigations.

Kaji penutupan Facebook

KUALA LUMPUR 8 Ogos - Kerajaan akan mengkaji kewajaran untuk menutup laman sosial Facebook di negara ini sekiranya mendapat sokongan masyarakat.

Menteri Komunikasi dan Multimedia, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek berkata, kajian tersebut akan dilaksanakan dalam bentuk pungutan suara terhadap pelbagai lapisan peringkat masyarakat di negara ini.

“Saya nak dengar pandangan orang ramai kerana antara aduan paling besar kita terima adalah melalui Facebook. Sekiranya orang ramai berpendapat bahawa laman web itu perlu ditutup, kita bersedia untuk melihatnya.

“Kita melihat ia sebagai satu pendekatan yang radikal tetapi untuk menyekat Facebook itu (ketika ini adalah) tidak mungkin. Kita boleh mengadu kepada Facebook untuk menutup laman tertentu," katanya pada Majlis Penutup Mesyuarat Perwakilan Pergerakan Wanita UMNO Bahagian Cheras di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas beberapa kes penghinaan dilakukan penggunaan Facebook terhadap isu-isu sensitif rakyat negara ini termasuk melibatkan kaum dan agama.

Yang turut hadir, Setiausaha Badan Perhubungan UMNO Wilayah Persekutuan, Datuk Seri Syed Ali Al-Habshee.

Seramai 174 perwakilan Wanita UMNO dari bahagian tersebut hadir pada mesyuarat berkenaan.

Mengulas lanjut, Ahmad Shabery berkata, pungutan suara tersebut akan dilaksanakan bagi mengetahui kesan yang bakal diterima pengguna laman sosial berkenaan sekiranya ia ditutup.

“Tetapi apakah ini pilihan yang kita pilih? Perkara ini perlu kita kaji dan perlu mendapat pandangan orang ramai sebab kita mempunyai lebih kurang 15 juta akaun Facebook di negara kita," katanya.

Jelas beliau, Facebook turut menjadi platform bagi rakyat negara ini menjalankan perniagaan mereka di samping merapatkan hubungan silaturahim di dalam institusi kekeluargaan.

Katanya, pandangan orang ramai juga perlu memandangkan hanya 2,000 aduan diterima membabitkan Facebook berbanding jumlah akaun keseluruhannya iaitu kira-kira 15 juta.

“Jadi, apakah kerana 2,000 kita terpaksa menutup kesemuanya? Jadi kena tengok balik dalam soal ini," katanya. - UTUSAN ONLINE

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Dalam_Negeri/20140809/dn_02/Kaji-penutupan-Facebook#ixzz39pOoDPf8
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