KUALA LUMPUR: The arrest of the two teenagers in relation to a video of a secondary school student criticising the History paper for this year's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) is beyond excessive, disproportionate and may possibly create unintended mental stress and negative infliction on their overall wellbeing.
Bandar Kuching member of parliament Dr Kelvin Yii said whether we agree with the content of the video, the students need to be educated, guided and empowered rather than be treated as criminals and investigated under archaic and possibly oppressive laws.
"Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 needs an urgent review, as its broad definition in scope, vague and ambiguous, with entirely subjective terms such as 'offensive' and 'annoy' makes it particularly prone to abuses, as seen in this case," said Dr Yii, who is chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Science and Innovation.
He said what is more important in this case is the well being of the students and children.
"Such disproportionate action may be causing unnecessary stigma, mental stress and fear, which is contrary to the spirit to educate and mould our young students.
"That is why I call for all investigations on the matter to be dropped, and the students be given the necessary guidance and support, rather than being intimidated and treated like a criminal," said Dr Yii.
On Friday, the teenagers were detained to assist in an investigation into the video Click Here.
Hulu Selangor district police chief Superintendent Suffian Abdullah was reported as saying that the 18-year-olds were apprehended after a teacher lodged a report.
"The viral video on TikTok and Facebook showed a male student in his school uniform expressing his dissatisfaction with the SPM History paper. The student used vulgar words to criticise those who had set the questions and also insulted Singapore," Suffian said in a statement.
He said the district police headquarters criminal investigation department nabbed the students at their homes and also seized their respective phones, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1995 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998.
