Siamese community condemns insult to Agong

The Siamese community here has condemned the actions of Facebook user Chandra Lawan Tetap Lawan who insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and urged the police to

investigate the case immediately.

Senator Datuk Boon Som Inong, who represents the Siamese Community in the Dewan Negara, said the action was rude and showed the Facebook user to be ignorant.

"Now that the ISA (Internal Securities Act) has been abolished, people take the opportunity to do anything. I hope there will be a similar law to control this from happening because it can lead to unrest," he told reporters after lodging a report at the Kota Setar District Police Headquarters, here today.

Representing the Malaysian Siamese Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce, and the Siamese community Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK), Boon also said the insult contravened the spirit of the Rukun Negara and should not be aimed at anyone especially the monarchy.

Meanwhile, Kedah CID Chief, ACP Mohd Nashir Ya said as of noon today, police had received more than 15 reports against the Facebook user.

Nashir said the case was being investigated under Section 4(1)(C) of the Sedition Act 1948.

In a related development, Kedah Gerakan also urged the authorities to conduct an in-depth investigation on the insult to the head of state.

Its deputy president, Datuk Dr Cheah Soon Hai said the issue was very serious and needed immediate action as it could lead to racial problems.

"Of late, there had been many cases of racial and religious conflicts such as Kelvin Yap using crass words on the call-for-prayer from a local mosque, Chow Jack insulting Prophet Muhammad, Perak Sultan and the Prime Minister on Facebook and Ustaz Shahul insulting the Hindu religion.

"These have led to misunderstandings between races, and threatens the peace and national harmony," he said.

He said the cases involving racial and religious conflicts could incite racial sentiments and lead to tension.

He also advised all parties to not be influenced by statements and the ill-intentions of certain individuals on social networks.