The country was in mourning recently when the fifth Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem passed away.
The loss was felt not only by the people of Sarawak but other Malaysians as well, regardless of faiths and ethnicities.
When the news of his death circulated on the internet at around 2pm on Jan 11, social media feeds and news portals were inundated with messages of support and condolences for his family members.
In the midst of the grief that swept over the nation, an unfortunate few chose that time to spread online ill words about the deceased.
Whatever their motivations were, it cannot be denied that these detractors have exercised their freedom of speech at a time when respectful silence was more befitting.
This is not the first of such incident. It has become an apparent trend for many to simply relay their darkest thoughts online without realising on the repercussions.
NOT UNDERSTANDING CONSEQUENCES
Many mistakenly believe spewing disparaging remarks online is their "freedom of speech".
Some also assume that they will never be held accountable for their speech because they are not high profile figures.
However, they cannot be more wrong.
Everything a person does online leaves "digital footprints" that are easily traceable even after a social media post, status update or tweet is deleted.
In addition to various forms of automated digital archiving, an online post is also susceptible to being recorded via screenshots by other users, especially if the contents ruffled a few feathers.
Many online users use screenshots as a way of gathering evidence when reporting offensive speech.
This is because screenshots are acceptable evidence to online regulating bodies when prosecuting offenders.
ADMISSIBLE AS EVIDENCE
Perhaps there are those who think that just by deleting an offensive post, all is forgiven and forgotten.
If only it were that easy. Once an offensive content is posted online and is recorded by others via screenshots or screengrab, it will automatically be admissible as evidence for police investigations as well as probes by online regulating bodies like the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
As soon as a probe is launched, the online offender would be tracked down and held, pending investigations.
Any possession belonging to the suspect that is believed to aid investigation would also be seized and upon prosecution, may be used as exhibits in court.
MCMC, with the aid of the police, will then perform a raid at a location where the suspect may be found.
"If we know that he is at home, we will raid his home. If he is at his work place, we will raid his work place," said the MCMC Chief Officer of Network Security, Enforcement and Advocacy Sector Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin in a media conference, last year.
According to the book "Undang-undang Jenayah Syariah di Alam Siber" (Shariah Law Crime in Cyberspace) by MCMC, four laboratories are used in such investigations, namely Computer Forensics, Telephone Forensics, Data Recovery and Data Imaging.
Therefore, it would be wise to practice restraint when posting online, lest it be used against us.
NEVER AGAIN
At the time of writing, police have arrested five people for defamatory remarks on the death of Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
This is not the first of such arrests. It should serve as a strict warning to Malaysians who use little discretion when posting online.
Although differences in opinion should be celebrated, let it be manifested in an intelligent and respectful manner.
After all, it is foolish to risk being incarcerated simply for the brief and perverse pleasure of spewing out hatred and ill thoughts. -- Bernama
The loss was felt not only by the people of Sarawak but other Malaysians as well, regardless of faiths and ethnicities.
When the news of his death circulated on the internet at around 2pm on Jan 11, social media feeds and news portals were inundated with messages of support and condolences for his family members.
In the midst of the grief that swept over the nation, an unfortunate few chose that time to spread online ill words about the deceased.
Whatever their motivations were, it cannot be denied that these detractors have exercised their freedom of speech at a time when respectful silence was more befitting.
This is not the first of such incident. It has become an apparent trend for many to simply relay their darkest thoughts online without realising on the repercussions.
NOT UNDERSTANDING CONSEQUENCES
Many mistakenly believe spewing disparaging remarks online is their "freedom of speech".
Some also assume that they will never be held accountable for their speech because they are not high profile figures.
However, they cannot be more wrong.
Everything a person does online leaves "digital footprints" that are easily traceable even after a social media post, status update or tweet is deleted.
In addition to various forms of automated digital archiving, an online post is also susceptible to being recorded via screenshots by other users, especially if the contents ruffled a few feathers.
Many online users use screenshots as a way of gathering evidence when reporting offensive speech.
This is because screenshots are acceptable evidence to online regulating bodies when prosecuting offenders.
ADMISSIBLE AS EVIDENCE
Perhaps there are those who think that just by deleting an offensive post, all is forgiven and forgotten.
If only it were that easy. Once an offensive content is posted online and is recorded by others via screenshots or screengrab, it will automatically be admissible as evidence for police investigations as well as probes by online regulating bodies like the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
As soon as a probe is launched, the online offender would be tracked down and held, pending investigations.
Any possession belonging to the suspect that is believed to aid investigation would also be seized and upon prosecution, may be used as exhibits in court.
MCMC, with the aid of the police, will then perform a raid at a location where the suspect may be found.
"If we know that he is at home, we will raid his home. If he is at his work place, we will raid his work place," said the MCMC Chief Officer of Network Security, Enforcement and Advocacy Sector Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin in a media conference, last year.
According to the book "Undang-undang Jenayah Syariah di Alam Siber" (Shariah Law Crime in Cyberspace) by MCMC, four laboratories are used in such investigations, namely Computer Forensics, Telephone Forensics, Data Recovery and Data Imaging.
Therefore, it would be wise to practice restraint when posting online, lest it be used against us.
NEVER AGAIN
At the time of writing, police have arrested five people for defamatory remarks on the death of Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
This is not the first of such arrests. It should serve as a strict warning to Malaysians who use little discretion when posting online.
Although differences in opinion should be celebrated, let it be manifested in an intelligent and respectful manner.
After all, it is foolish to risk being incarcerated simply for the brief and perverse pleasure of spewing out hatred and ill thoughts. -- Bernama
