~by: Jewel Philemon~
Singapore Police Force is investigating blogger and chief editor of New Asia Republic, Donaldson Tan for re-posting an extremely offensive picture to Muslims; one of a prohibited animal in Islam, superimposed on the Ka’ba – Islam’s most sacred site, on his Facebook. In his report to the police, the complainant, Amran Junid, also highlighted a Serena Lee for posting racist comments on that FB post by Donaldson Tan.
The blogger said that his intention of re-posting the picture was to “alert people that there is a flame bait. Censorship is never an option”. He further insisted that he will not take down the picture even after being requested to do so by well-meaning friends, as he believes in the freedom of speech and that” Islam is not sacrosanct”.
Serena Lee coming out in support of Donaldson Tan said, “Make one…comment about Islam or Allah and the whole Muslim…”.
In writing to The Online Citizen to highlight that he has lodged the complaint (case no: A/20111121/2149), Mr Amran Junid said, that Mr Tan has sometimes been making racist remarks about Malay/Muslims on his Facebook interaction, but that he had “always taken it as just a comment from a misinformed individual” and so did not think much of it. But that with these new posts, it has become clear to Mr Junid that Mr Tan’s intention is to “incite racial tension between the Muslims and those of other religious beliefs”.
Mr Tan was formerly an editor with TOC. He was asked to leave TOC in January 2010, and he subsequently set-up New Asia Republic – a commentary website.
This is the third police report made within the last five days about people who have disregarded religious sensitivities. The other two police reports were lodged against Mr Jason Neo and Mr Christian Eliab Ratnam.
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Update: Serena Lee has gotten in touch with TOC to express hurt at being associated with this matter. She expressed that she was only speaking up against cyber-bullying.
TOC has communicated to Serena that we reported straight from the police report (of which we have a copy), and that no ill will was intended against her. TOC also apologised to Serena if we had unintendingly hurt her.
The following is Serena’s correspondence with us, which we reproduce with her permission:
Hi Ravi and Team,
I will accept TOC’s apology and help close the matter.
As it turns out, a number of people have spoken up for me in private messages to you and on forums. Some are friends, many are strangers. I do not know the person who threatened you or your daughter.[1]
For the record, I am completely opposed to unfair discrimination against any person of any kind on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexuality or nationality. I am also against bullying. No one has the right to threaten another. People have the right to their individual feelings and beliefs. Let us not encourage fear tactics deployed to control other people’s behaviour just because we find certain individuals offensive. There are many ways to resolve issues maturely without resorting to threats of any form or online shaming.
All this arose from a discussion on a private Facebook page. It does not end if yet more people are dragged in. It creates a climate of fear online and would drive even more people to assume anonymous identities and encourage irresponsible commentary.
There is enough suffering in this world. Please focus your energies on helping the underprivileged who are desperately in need of our time and attention.
Serena Lee
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[1] Internet lynch mob and community moderation
HELP keep the voice of TOC alive!
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@Iron
yes, insulting is a lesser offence than killing. I am not saying both acts deserve the same punishment, just highlighting that insulting in the name of “Freedom of Speech” is just as lame as killing in the name of your own religion.
You can’t use Freedom of speech to justify every single nonsense that you spout neither can you use religion to justify any heinous act that you commit
Francis Khoo passed away in England this week.
Francis Khoo has lived in exile for 35 years..away from his beloved Singapore.
Today he is going to be cremated in the UK.
His wife is hopeful to bring his ashes home to Singapore.
YOU CAN COME HOME NOW FRANCIS KHOO.
THE GAHMEN ARE ONLY AFRAID OF THE LIVING.
NOT THE DEAD.
COME HOME MY SON.
COME HOME.
REST IN PEACE FRANCIS.
@King,
to question islam is an insult which is why muslims regardless of where they are from want to implement sedition law ala blasphemy law. these laws will be death of intellectual curiosity. these laws expect you to submit. you can verify this with muis.
@King,
you would think that these “law abiding” citizens will report those that criticize other faiths other than islam.
what do you see. it is a picture which says that pig is disallowed in or near the kabba.
how about a similar picture of a christian is not allowed near the kabba.
who should be insulted according to singapore’s sedition law when it is not insulting at all according to islamic law.
maybe it is an insult to the pig. will a similar picture of mohammad together with a pig insulting to muslims.
whose ideal of what is insulting will singaporeans be made to follow. — it still boils down to following someone’s religious laws.