Alvin & Vivian: Will the govt now go after other wrongdoers IMPARTIALLY?

The AG's Chamber is prepared to charge the sex bloggers under the Film Censorship Act, the Sedition Act plus the Penal Code, at triple charge that was hardly or never seen prior to this.

By merely looking at these three charges, anyone with the slightest legal knowledge should be able to tell that the couple is in deep hot water now. They may not be able to escape with only a small fine.

Generally our society leans towards supporting the penalty to be slapped on the duo while few would sympathise with them. Basically most people find themselves hard to accept the act of the couple while recognising the uniqueness and sensitivity of this country.

When an individual's behaviour has blasphemed a religion and has hurt the feelings of a certain community, its impact will expand exponentially in a religiously sensitive country.

Alvin Tan, the young man in question, used to be a law student on scholarship, and should by right be aware that his actions could invite legal complications. However, he has opted to challenge the country's laws with his inconsiderate move.

While serving to penalise the perpetrators, the functionality of our laws also includes a warning to other individuals not to repeat the felony.

Where this is concerned, the ignorance of the duo can never be excused even with an apology for it has wrought irreparable damages to the society.

Many in our midst want the couple to receive their deserved punishments. The authorities have toughened its stance mostly because of pressure from the public.

While bringing the couple to justice, the bak kut teh incident initiated by them should serve as a parameter to inspect the realistic issues of legality and righteousness.

If the legal sanctions against the duo manifests the righteous aspect of our society, then the same reasoning, including the same set of laws, should also be applied on other similar incidents that may jeopardise other religions or hurt the feelings of other communities.

Humiliating Islam is a serious crime that could be dealt with under the country's Penal Code.. Similarly, humiliating other religions is also unforgivable wrongdoing that should be dealt with by the same Code. It is imperative that the AG's Chamber prosecute the involved individuals or organisations and let the laws take their course.

Certain politically motivated organisations have frequently launched belittling assaults on other religions in the name of defending their own.

Such behaviours pose a serious challenge to other religions and communities while destroying social harmony and trust. Unfortunately, we have put up with such incidents throughout the years.

The frustration of many Malaysians have arisen from such an attitude of connivance, reinforcing the impression of some people that the authorities have been taking sides.

And because of this, the government has taken the first bold step forward and initiated the formal legal procedures against the sex bloggers.

The important thing is that having taken the first step forward, it is essential that the government will do the same to all wrongdoers impartially and unselectively.

- Sin Chew Daily