Alvin Tan no different from IS terrorists, says Utusan
(Malay Mail Online) – Former sex blogger Alvin Tan who continues to hurl insults against the Malaysian authorities after fleeing the country is no different from the terrorists behind the Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East, the editors of Umno-linked paper Utusan Malaysia said today.
In its Mingguan Malaysia Sunday column, the Malay broadsheet’s editorial voice Awang demanded the authorities take “more aggressive action” to end the fugitive blogger’s flood of insults that have allegedly tarnished and challenged national and royal institutions.
“There have been too many insults from Alvin. Against the authorities like the Inspector-General of Police to the Prime Minister and even the royal institution has been blackened and challenged. Likewise on Islam and the Malays.
“Awang sees his actions as a threat to the country’s security and harmony, on the same level of danger, perhaps even more than the individuals who join, support and funnel funds to the Islamic State (IS). In other words, there’s no difference between Alvin and terrorists,” it said.
The paper warned that the authorities’ failure to act will send “the wrong signal to Malaysians and motivate other individuals to insult religion, race and the royal institute as they wish”.
The 26-year-old Tan who has been charged with sedition fled the country earlier this year and is believed to be in California, after disclosing he applied for asylum in the US.
He had previously claimed persecution by Umno, the party that dominates Malaysia’s long ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.
The Selangor-born who first grabbed headlines with a now-defunct sex blog raised another storm last week with his controversial Facebook messages against the ruler of his home state for revoking the datukship titles conferred previously on Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Yesterday, Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek described Tan as being on the same level as Anwar with his insolent remarks against the constitutional monarchy.
“People like Alvin who support Anwar Ibrahim, who was stripped of his title, and make all kinds of statements is a person who is aligned and on the same level as Anwar,” he was quoted saying in Kemaman by state news wire Bernama told reporters.
Utusan, which had previously labelled Tan “cowardly” for leaving his ex-girlfriend to face the consequences of their joint indiscretions, pushed the envelop further.
“Never thought there would be a species so cowardly to seek political asylum outside the country without taking responsibility,” it said, hauling up Tan’s family for their silence over the controversy sparked.
Utusan took issue with the family for not apologising or expressing any regret for Tan’s actions.
