Student Who Might Have 'Liked' Pro-Israel FB Page Charged And Threatened By Teachers

The two teachers who sparked an uproar against a 17-year-old student for allegedly clicking “like” on an “I love Israel” Facebook page have apologised to the youth and his parents. State education department director Osman Hussain said the whole issue has been settled amicably and the student has returned to school.

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"We held a meeting between the teachers, the Parents-Teachers Association president of the school and the student's parents three days ago where the teachers apologised to the parents," he told Malay Mail Online when contacted. "We considered the case settled as the parents have also accepted the apology," he added.

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But despite the apology, however, state police confirmed today that the case is still under sedition probe. "Even if those involved have settled it amicably, we have already opened investigation papers so we will continue with our investigations and hand it over to the Deputy Public Prosecutor office for further action," Penang criminal investigation department chief SAC Mazlan Kesah said when contacted.

A Form Five student, who caused controversy at his school by clicking 'Like' on a pro-Israel Facebook page, is being investigated for sedition.

Nibong Tebal police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi (left) said that he is investigated under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948, Utusan Online reported.

The police have taken the statements of the students and a teacher from the Simpang Ampat, Penang school, at the Seberang Perai police district headquarters yesterday. Several others involved will soon be called to assist with the investigations.

According to The Star the teen was attacked and threatened online by teachers and students of the school after a screenshot showing he liked the pro-Israel page was uploaded on Facebook by a teacher.

Some Penang-based students and their teachers have allegedly threatened to boycott a fellow student after the latter "liked" an "I Love Israel" Facebook page.

"My student likes Israel? I am ashamed," said the teacher in Bahasa Malaysia, who hails from a school in Simpang Ampat. Her status update was followed by what appeared to be her fellow teachers attacking the student, with one even calling for him to be torched. "... This boy, we boycott only. I as a teacher have never known this student. From now on and after this, boycott, don't be friends of communicate with him," said another alleged teacher in Bahasa.

Among others, one teacher had allegedly wrote: “Kita bakor je hahaha.” (Let’s just burn him hahaha)

This, despite the 17-year-old denying clicking ‘Like’ on that page and lodging a police report, fearing his safety.

He said that the student had not actually "liked" the particular Facebook page, and suggested that it might have been "auto-liked". He added that other students also found their Facebook accounts "liking" the "I Love Israel" page without their consent.

A family spokesman said the 17-year-old male student had feared for his life, and was afraid to attend school this week. "He didn't get any threatening phone calls, but there are a few of his friends telling him that there are guys, who want to whack him up," said the spokesman.

He said that both he and the family have just met with the school's senior assistant who promised that action would be taken. A report, he said, had also been lodged with the district Education Department.

A friend of the family spokesman said that the student had lodged a report at the Bandar Tasek Mutiara police station on Monday.

Meanwhile, MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon has called for swift punishment for the teachers who had threatened the boy. He warned that by if such threats could escalate to violence if they are allowed to go on unchecked.

“These teachers have set a wrong example, and I am afraid that without severe punishment, others might actually try to burn the student,” said Chong in a statement.