Social Media Post on Edited Photos Containing Malaysia’s King Sparks Outrage

PUTRAJAYA, KOMPAS.com – Edited photos containing the face of Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah on social media have sparked criticism and strong reaction from netizens, including his wife.

Under the law in Malaysia, an offender could be fined or imprisoned for insulting the king.

On Thursday, December 31 the media reported that Malaysia’s Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah uploaded a screenshot of a published post from an Instagram user known as @bukan_bangjago, which contains the edited photos of Sultan Abdullah’s face.

Also read: Indonesian Nationals Behind Parody of Indonesian National Anthem

“If you can’t beat them, join them. Show the posts to my husband and tell him you look so cute and sexy!” She wrote.

“When people have nothing to do, this is what happens. I just leave it in Allah’s hands. Please take action!” She added.

The edited photos of Sultan Abdullah were attached to photographs intended to insult him.
On Friday, January 1, World of Buzz reported that netizens immediately urged the authorities to take stern action against the owner of the Instagram account.

A netizen has commented that the perpetrator should be sentenced to death as it was done by the previous kings.

“Last time, the king would behead the perpetrators of such an offense! What an ignorant person. This person does not deserve to live in Malaysia,” the netizen wrote.

Also read: Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta Condemns Parody of Indonesian Anthem

The Royal Malaysian Police confirmed receiving a report on the case. The Police are investigating the allegations to the owner of the @bukan_bangjago Instagram account.

Besides, the national anthem Negaraku’s lyrics and the Malaysian flag, Jalur Gemilang had also been insulted, the Police said.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Huzir Mohamed said the case is under investigation by the relevant authorities.

He urged the public to use social media wisely and not to misuse the platform to annoy and disrupt the nation’s harmony, State News Bernama reported.

Lessons learned from YouTube parody

Previously, a YouTube video insulting Indonesia’s national anthem, President Joko Widodo, and the national emblem of Garuda went viral. The video was originally published by an account named ‘MY Asean’, which used a Malaysian flag as its profile picture.

The video then caused tensions between both countries as the people posted their comments on social media and even some of the Indonesian politicians also expressed their views on the matter.

Also read: Indonesia to Intensify Cyber Police Activity Next Year, Says Senior Minister

The case was then investigated by the Malaysian government after the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur lodged a report. The investigation revealed that two Indonesians, one of whom is still a minor, were allegedly behind the parody of the Indonesian anthem.

Indonesia’s Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono said that the case of the parody of the Indonesian anthem was a lesson for all parties to not quickly conclude something that was not clear.

“Cyber issue could be a hoax. So far, it is known that the alleged creators were not Malaysians, but Indonesian citizens,” Hermono said as reported by Kompas TV on Friday, January 1.

“If the news has not been confirmed, don’t give an excessive response too quickly,” he said.

The envoy further added that the alleged suspect was an Indonesian citizen living in Sabah, Malaysia.

The media reported that the other alleged suspect was arrested in Cianjur, West Java province on Thursday, December 31 for further investigation.

(Writer: Aditya Jaya Iswara, Haryanti Puspa Sari | Editor: Aditya Jaya Iswara, Bayu Galih)

Sources: https://www.kompas.com/global/read/2021/01/02/113725770/malaysia-geger-wajah-raja-dijadikan-meme-oleh-akun-bukan_bangjago?page=all#page3.

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/01/02/20020061/parodi-indonesia-raya-dubes-ri-harap-jadi-pelajaran-agar-tak-cepat-ambil