Mob mentality is worse online

What happens when a snatch thief gets caught by the public? We’ve seen it happen many times where the public turns into a mob and beats them up.

Hey, I understand the anger. My wife has been a victim of a snatch thief before and if I was there with her, I would probably turn into the Incredible Hulk.

If you were a victim, then by all means claim self-defence. But if you were part of a mob that just wanted to lynch the bloody guy? What would that make you?

And so this leads to the big case regarding the viral video of the aggressive tudung-clad woman driver who took a steering lock to an old uncle who had slightly hit her car.

She screamed for money, she called out racial slurs, she was rude, and don’t forget that steering lock! She was swinging it against the uncle’s car (thank God not at the uncle).

If I was the old uncle, I would probably fight back. If it was my father and I was with him, I would probably fight back too (but knowing my father, he would fight harder than me!).

But I was not in that situation and I was not a victim. I am just an ordinary member of the public who happened to watch the video online.

The online reaction to the video was massive. There was anger and condemnation, which was rightfully so. But it suddenly took an ugly turn towards something well... ugly.

The mob mentality doesn’t just exist in real life on the streets. It also exists online. And to make matters worse, people online have even less inhibitions.

Members of the public started doing online searches and private items suddenly became exposed such as her personal life, her workplace, and even a copy of her car title deed.

We have laws in this country to deal with crimes and criminals and that is what makes us a civilised society. We shouldn’t resort to vigilante crime fighting.

What would separate us from the woman in the video if we too resorted to actions that portray barbarism when it comes to showing our disapproval of her actions?

I’m not defending her actions. Condemn her actions if you must, but leave it to the law to deal with her alleged crime. The police have already stated that they will investigate the matter.

If the intention is to make her repent, cyber-bullying her is not the answer. And especially not by causing her to fear for her life (although I’m sure she is feeling really regretful now!).

Remember, crime and punishment goes hand in hand. But so does compassion and forgiveness. Let us not forget that to educate is to also show by example.

The Quran states in Surah An-Nur:

“Let them forgive and overlook, do you not wish that Allah should forgive you?”

The uncle who was victimised is a hero. He remained calm throughout the ordeal (as seen in the video) and after the ordeal, even found the heart to forgive his aggressor.

With all that being said, although it is truly divine to forgive, let us not forget, and I hope the heavy hand of the law shall fall hard on the woman if she is to be found guilty.