Centre for Independent Journalism says authorities harsh on “bak kut teh” bloggers
(TMI) – CIJ said that it was also not right for some, in the name of supremacist Malay Muslim sentiment, to call for the death sentence against the duo.
The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) today called on the Attorney-General (AG) to treat the case of the “bak kut teh” bloggers for what it is and withdraw all charges.
It said in a statement that what the couple did is disrespectful but it was not a violent act or one that threatened national security.
The CIJ deplored the denial of bail to Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee, also known as Alvivi, in response to their “bak kut teh” Ramadan Facebook post.
“We believe the charges and denial of bail are disproportionate and counter-productive to the reconciliation that is needed to overcome the acrimonious backlash that has resulted,” it said.
The two were charged on July 18 under the Sedition Act, the Penal Code and the Film Censorship Act for their bak kut teh Ramadan greeting as well as pornographic pictures in their blog.
CIJ said that it recognised the posting by the two bloggers as hateful and offensive to Muslims, but stressed that a response through criminalisation will not address the resentment that has surfaced.
