Hurtful online comments damage unity, PM says

Kamles Kumar Kamles Kumar Updated 5 years ago · Published on 9 Jul 2020 4:36PM · 6 Comments

The prime minister says many reports have been lodged over comments made on social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, that ‘offend the feelings of other citizens’. – AFP pic, July 9, 2020.

HURTFUL comments made online cause lasting damage to national unity, said Muhyiddin Yassin.

Despite offenders having been warned by the authorities, said the prime minister, their remarks posted on social media continue to negatively impact society.

“The authorities have received a lot of reports on the words uttered on social media (platforms), like WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, which offend the feelings of other citizens.

“Even though investigations are carried out and action taken against those who break the law, (the comments) leave a deep, lasting wound on public unity and harmony,” he said in a televised speech in conjunction with the Rukun Negara’s 50th anniversary celebrations today.

He urged Malaysians to heed the principles of the Rukun Negara, which is the country’s bedrock.

“I believe this situation (hurtful comments online) can be avoided if we adhere to Rukun Negara principles.”

Malaysians are generally polite and do not cause tensions, he said.

“We have noble moral values. We do not easily utter profanities or do things that offend other people’s feelings.

“It is un-Malaysian to be rude. It is un-Malaysian to be inconsiderate.”

He warned instigators that the government will not compromise on the matter.

“There is no one above the law. If we find anyone who breaks the law, including causing tension and mischief, appropriate action will be taken swiftly, without fear or favour.”

In recent weeks, Putrajaya has cracked down on social media comments, with several individuals investigated and charged.

Among the notable cases is that of former radio deejay Patrick Teoh, who was last month charged with insulting the Johor crown prince.

The government is also investigating international broadcaster Al Jazeera over its documentary on the arrest of illegal immigrants in Malaysia, and has filed contempt proceedings against Malaysiakini over comments on the judiciary posted by the portal’s readers. – July 9, 2020.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • An illegitimate government damages not only the unity, but the very fabric of the nation.
    Stop pretending to be the PM you are not, Muhyiddin.
    You were never chosen by the people, never earned the right to be, and will never be the legitimate PM of Malaysia.
    Just resign, and fade away.

    Posted 5 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • And the government holds no responsibility to correct the root cause of these comments? When you demonize others by calling them communist Just to get political support it is not hurtful?

    Posted 5 years ago by Loyal Malaysian · Reply

  • Getting political power via the backdoor damages unity. Appointing fools, clowns and the corrupts to high positions only make matters worse, Mr Backdoor PM.

    Posted 5 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Why blame only those who post some comments online? The worst are people with authority or status who make such statements. For example, at the Kongres Maruah Melayu, the PM at that time stood in front of a packed hall and told his audience that the non-Malays were "ORANG ASING" who should be grateful to the Malays for allowing them to stay in Malaysia, the land of the Malays! What about Zakir Naik? Are you going to continue giving him protection for all the anti non-Muslim "Comparative Religion" sermons in which he berates other religions and cultures? If you could stop all the people with authority or status who make racist statements, the people won't have "modal" to make comments in reply. SO PLEASE STOP PEOPLE IN AUTHORITY AND WITH STATUS FROM MAKING RACIST REMARKS AND CREATING DISUNITY. Thank you

    Posted 5 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • How about grabbing legitimately voted power grabbing? Isn't that a treason and against the the National unity? Who should be charged for that?

    Posted 5 years ago by Swaminaidu Venkatasamy · Reply

  • What you politician did also hurts us, thus the understanding is mutual Pak Din and if you really wants to amend things, act on this two things in the shortest of time. One, call for a general election now to wash the back-door entry image. Two, put up a law to curb and control for elected representative of party hopping. What say you on this Pak Din??

    Posted 5 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply