With today's real time connectivity, anybody who is into commenting or blogging in the internet is only one button away from fame or infamy.
The fastest and surest way to get attention is using sex as a topic to attract attention. It can be just a title without any real substance in the form of video, but it will definitely increase the number of hits. If there is a sex video, then the number of hits will multiply exponentially.
Similarly, scandals of any sort will also attract people's attention because most of total's busy people have short attention span. They will read only headlines and tend to be attracted by unusual news titles to read further.
Alvin and Vivian got famous from their sex video when he was studying in Singapore. Unlike other unintentional exposure, theirs was deliberate to get cheap publicity. I think it costed him a scholarship and at least a reprimand.
Like other publicity seeking people, they tend to test the limits in cyberspace. But I honestly believe their 'Islam-insulting' pic could have been a spur of the moment prank without realising the consequences it would cause. It was obvious they regretted their action, not only with an open apology, but could be seen when they appeared visibly harassed by the news reporters and cameramen who were attracted by the publicity, on their way to the court premises.
Now the whole nation's leaders (including PM and other ministers), law enforcers (including IGP and AG), and even MPs since Parliament is now in session, commented on their silly prank.
The undue weight given to this particular case had inevitably attracted criticisms from the public who are wondering why our leaders do not care about injustices involving murder and rape cases for instance. There is the ongoing controversies on whether the police should have IPCMC, especially with the recurring cases of death in police custody, the latest in Batu Gajah! The daily cases of armed robberies in broad daylight, even in clinics, and outside one where a lady doctor lost a thumb when the robber slashed first before robbing her handbag. Shopkeepers and restaurant operators have to think of armed security guards instead of only CCTV, to protect themselves as well as their customers. Business dropped drastically and many have closed, mainly because the risk of being harmed or even killed is just not worth the money to be made.
If one is not concerned about principles and morality, it is easier joining the ruling party and fight for spoils instead of earning a decent living with a constant fear of having to fight off armed robbers.
Meanwhile, I expect the couple to be jailed (given the pressure from the publicity generated) to serve as an example to others. What I am worried is the harsher treatment they might get from those in charge of their custody. If the law is to be followed, let's hope there is fairness in implementation.
Related articles:
Letter to Malaysiakini: Will action be taken on inciters as with Alvivi?
Malaysia Chronicle: Alvin, Vivian likely to escape Sedition Act, all eyes on IGP to explain "linked" remarks
Link
The fastest and surest way to get attention is using sex as a topic to attract attention. It can be just a title without any real substance in the form of video, but it will definitely increase the number of hits. If there is a sex video, then the number of hits will multiply exponentially.
Similarly, scandals of any sort will also attract people's attention because most of total's busy people have short attention span. They will read only headlines and tend to be attracted by unusual news titles to read further.
Alvin and Vivian got famous from their sex video when he was studying in Singapore. Unlike other unintentional exposure, theirs was deliberate to get cheap publicity. I think it costed him a scholarship and at least a reprimand.
Like other publicity seeking people, they tend to test the limits in cyberspace. But I honestly believe their 'Islam-insulting' pic could have been a spur of the moment prank without realising the consequences it would cause. It was obvious they regretted their action, not only with an open apology, but could be seen when they appeared visibly harassed by the news reporters and cameramen who were attracted by the publicity, on their way to the court premises.
Now the whole nation's leaders (including PM and other ministers), law enforcers (including IGP and AG), and even MPs since Parliament is now in session, commented on their silly prank.
The undue weight given to this particular case had inevitably attracted criticisms from the public who are wondering why our leaders do not care about injustices involving murder and rape cases for instance. There is the ongoing controversies on whether the police should have IPCMC, especially with the recurring cases of death in police custody, the latest in Batu Gajah! The daily cases of armed robberies in broad daylight, even in clinics, and outside one where a lady doctor lost a thumb when the robber slashed first before robbing her handbag. Shopkeepers and restaurant operators have to think of armed security guards instead of only CCTV, to protect themselves as well as their customers. Business dropped drastically and many have closed, mainly because the risk of being harmed or even killed is just not worth the money to be made.
If one is not concerned about principles and morality, it is easier joining the ruling party and fight for spoils instead of earning a decent living with a constant fear of having to fight off armed robbers.
Meanwhile, I expect the couple to be jailed (given the pressure from the publicity generated) to serve as an example to others. What I am worried is the harsher treatment they might get from those in charge of their custody. If the law is to be followed, let's hope there is fairness in implementation.
Related articles:
Letter to Malaysiakini: Will action be taken on inciters as with Alvivi?
http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=130721:alvin-vivian-likely-to-escape-sedition-act-all-eyes-on-igp-to-explain-his-linked-remarks&Itemid=2#axzz2ZMOT8CVH
Update:
"No bail was granted and Tan was sent to the Sungai Buloh Prision while Lee was taken to the Kajang Prision.
The couple were charged under:
a) Section 5 of the Film Censorship Act 2002 for publishing indecent photographs online between July 6 and 7. If found guilty they can be fined not less than RM10,000 or not more than RM50,000 and or imprisoned for not exceeding five years;
b) 298A Penal Code for promoting enmity between different groups of religion or race and doing acts prejudicial to maintaining harmony by publishing an offensive Ramadan greeting which carries a minimum jail term of two years or a maximum of five years; and
c) Section 4(1) (c) of the 1948 Sedition Act for posting seditious material through the offensive greeting which carries fine maximum fine of RM5,000."
More:
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/07/18/bak-kut-teh-couple-charged-bail-rejected/
Update: A couple of letters from selected ones in Malaysiakini:
'Anonyxyz: For those who believe in God of any religion, say a few prayers for these two stupid, irresponsible and mentally disturbed individuals.
No sane person will do what they have done in a highly racialised and politicised society of ours. Prayers for them to come out of jail safely to be tried in a court where the verdict is definitely predictable.
All said and done, they are unarmed, do not cause violence and injure, kill or maim people and should not be treated like hunted terrorists.
The laws should be equally applied and if all those previous cases of hate speech have been acted upon like this case and punished severely, this incident may not have happen.'
'Argonist: This is Malaysian justice. Guilty before even being tried. Those who did worse crimes are given bail.
Is sending them to a prison full of criminals who wouldn't think twice of harming these kind of prisoners wise? Let's wait and see how they will be treated while waiting for the trial to be heard.'
More:
Sent to prison - summary justice meted out
Update:
"No bail was granted and Tan was sent to the Sungai Buloh Prision while Lee was taken to the Kajang Prision.
The couple were charged under:
a) Section 5 of the Film Censorship Act 2002 for publishing indecent photographs online between July 6 and 7. If found guilty they can be fined not less than RM10,000 or not more than RM50,000 and or imprisoned for not exceeding five years;
b) 298A Penal Code for promoting enmity between different groups of religion or race and doing acts prejudicial to maintaining harmony by publishing an offensive Ramadan greeting which carries a minimum jail term of two years or a maximum of five years; and
c) Section 4(1) (c) of the 1948 Sedition Act for posting seditious material through the offensive greeting which carries fine maximum fine of RM5,000."
More:
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/07/18/bak-kut-teh-couple-charged-bail-rejected/
Update: A couple of letters from selected ones in Malaysiakini:
'Anonyxyz: For those who believe in God of any religion, say a few prayers for these two stupid, irresponsible and mentally disturbed individuals.
No sane person will do what they have done in a highly racialised and politicised society of ours. Prayers for them to come out of jail safely to be tried in a court where the verdict is definitely predictable.
All said and done, they are unarmed, do not cause violence and injure, kill or maim people and should not be treated like hunted terrorists.
The laws should be equally applied and if all those previous cases of hate speech have been acted upon like this case and punished severely, this incident may not have happen.'
'Argonist: This is Malaysian justice. Guilty before even being tried. Those who did worse crimes are given bail.
Is sending them to a prison full of criminals who wouldn't think twice of harming these kind of prisoners wise? Let's wait and see how they will be treated while waiting for the trial to be heard.'
More:
Sent to prison - summary justice meted out
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