‘Eye for an eye sometimes necessary for Harapan cybertroopers’

GE14 | In the run-up to the 14th general election, the war of words between the ruling coalition and the opposition has intensified, particularly on social media.

Ivone Low of MCA Beliawanis (Wanita MCA Young Women Bureau) was on the receiving end of this, with netizens unleashing vitriol on a Facebook Live video of her speech in Ampang from Sunday.

At a press conference in Wisma MCA, Kuala Lumpur today, she said that she lodged a police report yesterday over the alleged cyberbullying, in an attempt to send a warning to those who attacked her with “libellous, slanderous and irresponsible” statements.

However, she was also asked whether her own obscenity-laced replies to these netizens – who, she said, police identified as Pakatan Harapan cybertroopers, due to the PKR ‘eye’ logo in their profile pictures – also constituted cyberbullying.

Though apologising for her actions, she replied by saying that an “eye for an eye” is sometimes a necessary means to deal with certain netizens.

"I proposed 'healthy politics'. He (the netizen) saw it, but he didn't feel anything because he had never been attacked by anyone, and he hadn't experienced that feeling.

“I wanted to let him feel it (what it is like being attacked).

"I may have overreacted. If that makes him uncomfortable, I thank him for caring about my post. I also apologise for what I said.”

Low was referring to her call for “healthy” political debate, issued because she believes that resorting to abuse over differences of opinion falls short of democratic norms.

"If we want to pursue a democratic society, we must first start with ourselves. We should put an end to online violence and advocate healthy politics," she said.

‘Read mainstream media’

Low also cautioned against believing news on Facebook because they contained falsehoods, and urged Malaysians to read mainstream media outlets instead, which she insists are more credible.

"I think that some alternative online media, such as certain Facebook pages, are often untrustworthy.

“Therefore, I urge people to read more mainstream media. After all, mainstream media can be better, more accurate and more neutral in their reporting."

Low also denied that her Ampang speech was preparation for a future political career, noting that she would first concentrate on furthering her studies.

At today’s press conference, MCA Beliawanis deputy chief Nicole Wong also complained of being the victim of cyberbullying on Facebook. - Mkini