Home Civil Society Voices Arrests of teenage students: Patriot agrees with lawyers’ group’s criticism

Arrests of teenage students: Patriot agrees with lawyers’ group’s criticism

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Patriot agrees with Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek, who is reported to have slammed the government for the recent arrest of two schoolboys over a video the duo posted “ridiculing the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) history paper”.  

The manner in which the teenagers were arrested, as reported by news media, is not only totally uncalled for but is most injurious to the two young children.

Such a raid (at their homes), and arresting and subjecting them to urine tests is a traumatic experience. It can emotionally scar the naive teenaged boys.

In fact, it even inflicts long-term emotional pain as they become the brunt of ridicule among fellow schoolmates. Even teachers may be inclined to take an objectionable position with them.

And of course, the social scar extends to the parents too, as they have to deal with the arrests and police detention.

As was rationally pointed out by Lawyers for Liberty, this is a disciplinary matter and not one of a criminal nature. The school concerned should have strictly dealt with the matter and not have a teacher make a police report.

It is puzzling too why the police did not call on the head of the school and provide prudent advice and assistance if needed, but instead swung into raid-arrest-interrogate action.

Patriot too demands a healing response from not only the head of police but also the education minister.

Meanwhile, we urge the communications minister to now recognise the fallacy and inherent dangers of the Communications and Multimedia Act [the continued existence of Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act] and to reform the law.

READ MORE:  CMA amendments: Online safety or state overreach?

Retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Dato’ Zulkifli Mohamad is deputy president of the National Patriots Association (Patriot)

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
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