PUTRAJAYA: Police have detained a Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) student on suspicion of uploading social media content touching on issues of religion, race and the Royal institution (3R).
Pahang police chief Comm Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the male student was arrested early yesterday morning to assist in investigations after provocative content, including content insulting Prophet Muhammad, went viral on Tuesday.
The suspect is also being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities or services to transmit communications that are offensive, abusive, threatening, or harassing to others, including obscene content, he said in a Bernama report.
All parties have been urged to stop the spread of hateful and irresponsible content on social media, said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
“I take seriously the spread of content on social media through an account belonging to a student of UMPSA that touches on religious issues and insults Islam, to the extent that it has the potential to threaten public harmony.
“Religion should never be trivialised or used as a tool for provocation, as such actions constitute an offence and can spark tension in a plural society,” he said in a statement yesterday.
“I have been informed that investigations are currently underway and firm action will be taken against any student found guilty of any disciplinary offence under the Universities and University Colleges (Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah) (Student Discipline) Regulations 2024.”
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil chimed in, saying that the government strongly condemned the act.
In a Facebook post, Fahmi, described the act as insulting to Islam and a provocation against the sensitivities and harmony of Malaysia’s multiracial society.
“I have directed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to carry out an immediate investigation and take action under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.”
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir gave his assurance that the matter would be resolved swiftly, and called for calm.
“We are taking prompt steps to ensure the matter is not manipulated by any party seeking to worsen the situation,” he said in a press conference at Parliament yesterday.
“I urge all parties to remain calm as we address this issue, with the police having already taken swift action, and it is now being handled by authorities.”
