Counselling for teen over defamatory online post

KUCHING: The 17-year- old schoolgirl who was alleged to have made a defamatory post online on the passing of the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem will receive counselling, Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Datuk Fatimah Abdullah told reporters yesterday.

According to her, everyone—not just the girl— should be taught awareness of and to respect the sensitivity of others when voicing their opinions and comments, especially on the Internet.

“Everyone should be more responsible when posting things over the Internet, especially when we are living in a multi-racial country like Malaysia. We hope the girl’s case will serve as a lesson for others,” she added.

On Saturday, the 17-year-old girl, who goes by the username ‘Zera Zera’ on Facebook was detained over her post.

Several reports have been lodged against her in a few districts and her case was investigated by CID Bintulu under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

However, Fatimah revealed that the girl will not be charged by the police.

The Sarawak Education Department is responsible to provide the girl with counselling at her school.

Apart from that, the girl was also believed to be a slow learner in school.

Five individuals have so far been arrested by the Sarawak police for posting defamatory comments regarding the passing of the late Chief Minister.