Harapan Lodges Report Wants Swift Action Against Hate Speech

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Pakatan Harapan has lodged police reports against online hate speech allegedly conducted by its party opponents and their supporters during and after the 15th general election.
Federal Territories Amanah vice-chairperson Zamri Khuzaimi said the police need to take swift action against those who use social media to cause racial and religious unrest.
“This includes any online talks, comments and speeches from PAS members who have uploaded videos on TikTok with harmful messages that are intended to incite tensions amongst Malaysians,” he told reporters after lodging the police report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters.
The report lists several of the allegedly inflammatory statements and videos, including Sik PAS youth chief Shahiful Nasir’s claim that those who vote for Harapan or BN will be “going to hell”.
His police report is a part of a Harapan campaign nationwide to lodge similar police reports today.
Shahiful had apologised for the remark on Nov 11, saying his statement refers generally to those who commit good and bad deeds, not BN or Harapan supporters.
Meanwhile, Shahiful urged for police to investigate and press charges against the alleged perpetrators of hate speech under several laws.
The first is Sections 298A and 505(b) of the Penal Code for causing hatred on grounds of religion and making statements to cause fear among the public.
Sik PAS youth chief Shahiful NasirUpon conviction, Section 298A is punishable with between two to five years imprisonment, while Section 505 is punishable with up to two years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Shahiful also wants action under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities, which is punishable with up to one-year imprisonment, a fine up to RM50,000, or both.
Lastly, Shahiful demanded action under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, which is punishable by up to three years imprisonment, a fine up to RM50,000, or both.
‘Be politically mature’
Hulu Langat MP-elect Sany Hamzan, who was also at the press conference, expressed his disappointment towards PAS members and supporters, whom he accused of disseminating hate speech.
“They blame us (Harapan) for causing problems while they go and insult everybody: Making offensive remarks about Christians, accusing DAP of being communists; and then telling people they will go to hell if they did not vote for PAS.
“We should be politically mature and debate academically; where it should be facts versus facts, not facts versus lies,” Sany said.
He said he is worried about the harmony of the country, blaming the narratives used by “religious extremists” to stir up tensions for political gain during GE15.
Earlier this week, it was reported that a few TikTok users were spreading anti-DAP and anti-Chinese statements, while also threatening to repeat the May 13, 1969 riots if Perikatan Nasional did not win in GE15.
TikTok is said to be aggressively removing the ‘violative’ content but numerous social media users said that they have received messages from the platform informing them that the content they reported did not break any rules.
Several Harapan leaders have also claimed that their children came home with anti-Harapan propaganda after they were told by their peers that Harapan is anti-Islam.
Some of these accusations include the azan (call to prayer) will no longer being allowed to play, and that Islam would be gone from Malaysia if Harapan became government.
Sany also emphasised that besides the police, he wants Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to acknowledge the severity of the matter.
“If he (Anwar) ignores the harmful doctrines and the extremists, then the peace of this country is at risk.
“He has the bigger power now and I hope he takes this issue to heart.” - Mkini

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