KUCHAL LUPU, 26 FEB. Two 18-year-olds were arbitrarily detained after a viral video purportedly mocked the SPM history exam, according to youth civil society organization Undi18, and the action negatively impacted their performance on their exams.
The organization criticized the teacher’s decision to file the police report, claiming it was unjust given that the boys were still in school and had minimal experience to inappropriate social media use.
It warned in a statement today that “this issue will indirectly disrupt the focus and emotions of the students who are still sitting for the SPM exam.”
It said the matter should have just been handled by the school disciplinary board and its guidance and counselling units, which could have advised the boys as part of preventative measures rather than involving the police.
“Even so, this has already happened and surely had a deep impact on the mental and emotional state of the students involved who may in the future be more afraid to express their freedom of expression,” it added.
Undi18 also called for Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998, which the boys are being investigated under, to be repealed.
Two 18-year-olds are said to have been detained yesterday as a result of a viral video they made in which they allegedly berated Singapore and voiced their displeasure with the SPM history paper.
Sections 14 of the Minor Offenses Act of 1995 and 233 of the CMA are also being used to examine this case.
According to Section 14 of the Minor Offenses Act of 1995, any insulting behavior, including the use of insulting language, that is intended or likely to cause a disturbance is punishable by a fine of up to RM100.
The use of network resources or services to send communications deemed offensive is prohibited by S233 of the CMA.
