Don’t use social media to tarnish reputation of others – Ling
MIRI: Social media users are reminded to exercise more responsibility to avoid harming a person’s image or reputation.
Senator Alan Ling said netizens should also refrain from sending wrongful or hurtful messages to other social media users as it could negatively impact the recipients.
“I have personally experienced it and honestly, it is very hurtful. Therefore, I do hope everyone can be kind and responsible when using social media as no one should have to undergo such stressful situation,” he said in a press conference yesterday.
Ling was responding to an incident last Saturday when he was verbally abused by a man while delivering a speech during a function, followed by a wrongful accusation made against him via a Facebook post later the same evening.
In the incident, the man in question demanded that Ling speak on health-related issues instead of politics. Later the same evening, the man’s wife took to Facebook to accuse Ling of damaging the man’s mobile phone during an argument.
“During the verbal attack, I remained calm and did not do anything except continue my speech as well as the rest of the programme. Thereafter, I was surprised by the Facebook post which I believe was an attempt to tarnish my reputation.
“Merely one hour after the post was made, the user (man’s wife) removed it, which is a reflection of the accuser’s guilt and embarrassment.
“Such action is unacceptable as it was not only disrespectful to the organiser, but to everyone who attended the event. I retain my right to seek justice against those responsible for this defamation,” he said.
The press conference yesterday was hosted by Federation of Miri Division Chinese Associations chairman Datuk Hii Teck Yun, and was also attended by the federation’s legal advisor Ling Kwong Yu, as well as Miri Hunyuan Hexiang Zhuang Qigong Association vice-chairmen Hiung Tee Ming and Yong Yee Yeam.
Hii said he regretted the incident and extended his apology on behalf of the organiser to Ling.
“We want to emphasise that the man who launched the verbal attack is not related to the organiser nor is he a member of Miri Hunyuan Hexiang Zhuang Qigong Association.
“We do hope that the person responsible could come out to apologise for his action,” he said.
Kwong Yu, meanwhile, vouched for the senator’s assertion that at no point did he approach the man who verbally attacked him or damage his mobile phone.
“I was seated among the VIPs and saw the man shout at Senator Ling before he (the man) left. Senator Ling did not respond to the man but continued with his speech.
“Even after that, Senator Ling did not approach the man, so I am appalled by the accusation ( by the man’s wife) on Facebook.”