Any form of speech that may instigate hatred towards the monarchy is against the law – including remarks or insults posted on social media.
Four Twitter and Facebook account owners are under investigation by the police after posting statements that may contain elements of hate towards the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA).
One of the individuals being investigated is Sungai Pelek assemblyman Ronnie Liu Tan Khiew who posted on his Facebook stating, “Now in Bangkok. They are saying No to the King.” In the post, he included photos of anti-governmental protest that’s happening in Thailand.
The police have then summoned Liu after his post could be seen as instigating hatred towards the YDPA. The 52-year-old was detained in Cheras and the gadgets he used to upload the statement were confiscated.
Bukit Aman CID director Datuk Huzir Mohamed said, “On 21st October, an investigation was launched against a statement uploaded by a Facebook account owner named Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew. Investigations have been classified under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act for inciting hatred or insults towards the monarchy and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for misusing networking facilities.”
Other than that, Huzir also disclosed several other individuals for uploading similar remarks towards the YDPA on Twitter and Facebook. The second individual is a Twitter user, @mxdriv, who tweeted an insult which was aimed towards the YDPA.
The third investigation involved another Twitter user, @LiewLipNan, who questioned the authenticity of the National Security Council’s post. He asked, “Wasiat Raja-raja Melayu? Where is the document of this will? Which history professor verified this? Which institution verified this? This is merely a political propaganda. Why is the National Security Council spreading fake news?”
The fourth case involved a Facebook user that goes by the name of Ho Ruey Terng who blamed the Agong regarding the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia. However, the user recently claimed that his account was hacked and insisted that he got framed.
The owner of the account proceeded to lodge a police report on 25th October, alleging that his account was hacked. After doing so, he uploaded a post on his Facebook page with the police report included.
In the post, he stated “As the current situation seems to get out of control, I hereby attach my police report made on 25th October 2020, 3:23 pm. I hereby hope that everyone will give time to the police to catch the real culprits and prove my innocence.”
All the cases and individuals are currently being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
Huzir asserted that, “The public are reminded to hold in high esteem the principles of the Rukun Negara that is loyalty to King and Country to avoid any possibility of insulting the King or government.”
Sources: MalayMail, Sinar Harian, BFM Twitter, Malaysia Gazette.
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