KUANTAN: The Pahang state government today urged the authorities to take strict and immediate action against a Facebook user, who insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in the social media recently.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the state government viewed the matter as a serious offence and perceived the action of the social media as traitor to the sovereignty of the Royal Institution,
The state government, he said, wants the police to respond to the reports lodged against the irresponsible Facebook user and take action against the culprit.
“We hope the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) can assist the police in locating the Facebook account owner so that action could be taken against him.
“As a long-term measure, the state government would like to propose for the introduction of special legislation, which provide heavier and a more deterrent punishment similar to Thailand’s lese-majeste law.
“We want the Federal Government to seriously consider introducing such Act in the country,” he said in a statement.
It was reported that 20 organisations comprising non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government departments and political bodies lodged police reports against the Facebook user for allegedly making insulting comments against Sultan Abdullah.
Kuantan district kadi Abdul Zaki Md Zain said the police reports were lodged against a Facebook user using the account name Desmond Yongkor, who had uploaded an image with comments that insulted Sultan Abdullah.
Among quarters that lodged the police reports were Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP), the Pahang Royalty Welfare Body, Gerakan Anak Melayu Pahang, Malaysia Relief Agency Pahang, Kuantan Kochow Association, Pahang Village Heads Association and Gabungan Umno Kuantan.
On a related matter, Pahang police confirmed to receive a report over a 90-second long clip showing two people confronting a man for allegedly insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
State police chief Datuk Mohd Zakaria Ahmad confirmed to receive the report over the clip, which was uploaded on a Facebook account belonging to one “Michael Cheah” yesterday.
“Give room for the police investigate the case, “ he said when contacted today.
Mohd Zakaria urged all people not to take matters into their own hands and let the police to probe the case.
Reported by Amin Ridzuan Ishak and Mohamad Azim Fitri Abd Aziz