After Low Yat fracas, minister wants tougher social media policy

A stand-off between the police and youths seen at Low Yat Plaza in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, July 14, 2015.

Putrajaya must act against those who promote racism on social media before race relations in the country spirals out of control, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri.

The de facto law minister said people could not claim their social media postings on the smartphone theft at Kuala Lumpur's Low Yat Plaza and subsequent brawls were made in the name of freedom of speech.

She blamed social media for whipping up racial sentiments that led to fistfights and property damage at the popular shopping centre for handphones and digital devices.

When social media posts do harm and damage, Nancy said, those who created such content should take responsibility.

She said while it was not the government's policy to place restraints on the social media or to curb freedom of speech, the government would have to intervene if people began undermining race relations.

“That should apply to everybody,” she said.

Malay rights group Pekida has been accused of taking part in brawls outside the plaza and Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) has made a racially charged statement over the fracas. Pekida, however, has denied organising the gathering although some of its members had participated.

“What happened was a very petty thing. A small thing,” Nancy (pic, right) said.

“But what had been posted in social media was not very pleasing to read and to hear.

“The people, instead of observing Ramadan peacefully, became very angry and stressed.”

Nancy said there were sufficient laws to deal with events like what happened at Low Yat but welcomed any public feedback that could help strengthen the government's social media policy.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar yesterday ordered the arrest of the blogger who used the name Papagomo for allegedly for publishing false information over the incident at Low Yat that lead to the brawl.

- TMI