ONCE again, the long arm of the law reached out to the calls made by netizens to take action against a Malaysian youth who publicly threatened the life of the Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek in a social media posting.The post went viral after people spotted it and was shared numerous times on the X platform in particular, with users tagging both the police and the minister, urging them to take quick action against the person.The 28-year-old man was arrested in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, for the suspected criminal threats against Fadhlina.The arrest took place after four police reports were filed concerning the same issue. These reports were prompted by discussions on social media about alleged ‘fatwas’ advocating harm to the minister.
The owner of the X application account, where the alleged threat was made, has been identified as a 28-year-old individual, according to Bukit Aman Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.Screenshots of the threats, with the person’s name and picture were widely transmitted on X yesterday (Nov 4) and last Friday (Nov 3).Moreover, the police stated that the case was investigated in accordance with Section 507 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.Section 507 of the Penal Code provides for a maximum prison sentence of two years or a fine or both upon conviction.Meanwhile, eight days ago (Oct 27), two men were detained for their social media posts that allegedly threatened Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
Shuhaily claimed that the social media posts of the suspects included statements featuring elements of criminal intimidation.
On Aug 28, the police confirmed that a man was arrested on suspicion of threatening and insulting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Facebook.
Shuhaily added that the 41-year-old local man was arrested at 3.20pm yesterday at Taman Desa Budiman, Bedong, Kedah.He also said that the police received a report on the matter and deployed a team of police officers from the Kuala Muda district police headquarters to arrest the man, who worked as a masseur.“The suspect’s Facebook account, known as ‘Joe Jebat Tajudin’, wrote the threatening message on Saturday (Aug 26).” – Nov 5, 2023
Main photo credit: Bernama
