Singapore Poly Students Charged for Racist Remarks on Facebook

February 7, 2010

By Wayang Times

This week, the Singapore Police Force arrested 3 Chinese students from the Singapore Polytechnic for allegedly posting remarks which are offensive to Indians on a Facebook group. The 3 youths aged between 17 and 18 are Mr Soo Siu Weng, Mr Goh Jun Yi, and an unknown student from the Singapore Poly.

They are now out on bail pending further police investigations and they may eventually charged under the Sedition Act, under which anyone found guilty of promoting feelings of ill will and hostility between different races or classes of the Singapore population shall be liable, on conviction for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both.

The Commander of Bedok Police Division and Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police said that the Police take a very stern view of acts that could threaten the social harmony in Singapore. He said that the Internet may be a convenient medium to express one’s views but members of the public are reminded to beaer in mind that they are no less accountable for their actions online.

It was reported in the media that Facebook has taken the rare move of taking the alleged Facebook group offline, but the company did not reply to media queries confirming nor denying this speculation.

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