20-3-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a disturbing turn of events, a 46-year-old Singaporean man found himself facing a four-month jail sentence after making a chilling comment on Facebook, inciting violence against Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Kong Chee Kian, identified as the culprit, expressed his disdain for the government by responding to a Facebook news report about the shooting of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In his comment, Kong brazenly urged someone to replicate the violent act against Singapore’s Prime Minister.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Delicia Tan revealed that Kong’s animosity towards the government stemmed from personal grievances, including health issues that hindered his employment prospects. Seeking a scapegoat for his troubles, Kong resorted to blaming the government, with PM Lee as its figurehead.
The alarming comment, made under the alias “Carl Brown,” caught the attention of law enforcement following an anonymous report. Kong was swiftly apprehended on the same day as his provocative social media post.
Further investigation uncovered additional troubling remarks made by Kong, including one where he callously speculated about PM Lee’s demise following Mr. Abe’s reported passing. Such inflammatory rhetoric, according to DPP Tan, demanded a firm response to deter similar offences.
In pleading for a lenient sentence, Kong’s defence lawyer, Rajoo Ravindran, highlighted his client’s lack of prior criminal history and expressed remorse for his actions. He emphasised Kong’s willingness to cooperate with authorities and take accountability for his wrongdoing.
However, District Judge Kamala Ponnampalam underscored the gravity of Kong’s actions, stressing the need to confront the weaponisation of social media platforms for incitement purposes. The judge deemed Kong’s specific threat against the Prime Minister as particularly serious and ominous, warranting a stringent penalty.
As the sentence was handed down, it served as a stark reminder of the repercussions individuals face for engaging in online behaviour that promotes violence and threatens public safety.
