10-year sentence excessive: Temper justice with mercy

While we sit on opposite sides of the political fence, MCA supports the move by the legal team led by PKR Batu Lintang state Assemblyman See Chee How to seek a review of the 10-year sentence and RM50,000 fine against Sarawakian Alister Cogia despite the accused pleading guilty to uploading offensive materials against Islam and Prophet Mohammad on Facebook. 

Based on news reports, there appears to be lapses in the legal process. For example, his family was denied the chance to meet Alister when he was in remand. Neither was he told he would appear in court on Friday which caused him to be unrepresented.

Alister is only 22-years of age and dropped out of school midway in Form 1. To lock him up with hardened criminals, would only descend him into a lesser mortal. He needs counselling and should be examined if he has a learning disability which affects social interaction and comprehension of his action.

Sentencing a young adult whose mental capacity is in question behind bars for a decade as opposed to armed robbers, terrorists, sexual offenders, child abusers, wife batterers, assailants who are given lighter sentence is akin to weaponising the law to kill a mockingbird.

Mistake us not. MCA does not in any way tolerate but instead condemns any form of insults and mockery against Islam. Likewise, we will not spare criticisms against any quarters who belittle and utter seditious comments against any other religions.

While we note the efficacy of the police in apprehending the netizen who had abused Facebook to insult Islam, we also call for similar expediency in actions be taken to protect all other religions too.

In this respect, we urge the relevant authorities be it the judiciary, Royal Malaysian Police, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to uphold the law and justice, to be impartial in all cases involving persons posting offensive comments against any religion.


Chan Quin Er
MCA Spokesperson

-MCA online-