By LEE YEN MUN
The Star/Asia News Network
Sunday, Aug 26, 2012
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia - Umno Youth, which is embroiled in a controversy over an allegedly seditious Facebook message, has identified several suspects responsible.
Its chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the names surfaced after investigations carried out by himself and the wing's new media unit.
However, the Rembau MP stopped short of revealing details.
"I have the names (of the suspects) with me and my new media unit has informed me that they are not from the official circles of Umno Youth.
"I do not know what their motive is, maybe they have extreme leanings, are bodoh (stupid) or want to sabotage (the wing), but whatever it is, the post does not reflect or represent the wing's stand.
"As for now, I do not want to speculate nor reveal their names as it will also not be fair to them (but) I will hand the names to the police when we are asked to record our statement," Khairy told reporters when met at former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Hari Raya open house here yesterday.
On Monday, Barisan Nasional executive secretary Ibdilillah Ishak lodged a police report on behalf of the Umno Youth chief over the Facebook page and its contents.
The administrators of the page, named Pemuda Umno Malaysia, had posted that the country's official religion would be changed should Pakatan Rakyat gain support.
Khairy has maintained the wing's innocence over the matter, saying the page was not sanctioned by Umno Youth.
"If there is a need to be charged, we are ready to be charged under the Sedition Act.
"And if Section 114A under the Evidence Act will be used in (such a) hearing, I am also ready to prove that the posting was not made by Umno Youth," he said.
Many view this as a test case for Section 114A of the Act which presumes publication and ownership of offending items posted on the Internet as the owner's unless proven otherwise.
The Star/Asia News Network
Sunday, Aug 26, 2012
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia - Umno Youth, which is embroiled in a controversy over an allegedly seditious Facebook message, has identified several suspects responsible.
Its chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the names surfaced after investigations carried out by himself and the wing's new media unit.
However, the Rembau MP stopped short of revealing details.
"I have the names (of the suspects) with me and my new media unit has informed me that they are not from the official circles of Umno Youth.
"I do not know what their motive is, maybe they have extreme leanings, are bodoh (stupid) or want to sabotage (the wing), but whatever it is, the post does not reflect or represent the wing's stand.
"As for now, I do not want to speculate nor reveal their names as it will also not be fair to them (but) I will hand the names to the police when we are asked to record our statement," Khairy told reporters when met at former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Hari Raya open house here yesterday.
On Monday, Barisan Nasional executive secretary Ibdilillah Ishak lodged a police report on behalf of the Umno Youth chief over the Facebook page and its contents.
The administrators of the page, named Pemuda Umno Malaysia, had posted that the country's official religion would be changed should Pakatan Rakyat gain support.
Khairy has maintained the wing's innocence over the matter, saying the page was not sanctioned by Umno Youth.
"If there is a need to be charged, we are ready to be charged under the Sedition Act.
"And if Section 114A under the Evidence Act will be used in (such a) hearing, I am also ready to prove that the posting was not made by Umno Youth," he said.
Many view this as a test case for Section 114A of the Act which presumes publication and ownership of offending items posted on the Internet as the owner's unless proven otherwise.
