Sex blogger couple hauled up over Facebook posting

SINGAPORE — The infamous sex blogger couple who caused a stir here and across the Causeway in October last year have been summoned to appear before the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission after a controversial Facebook posting last Thursday. Mr Alvin Tan Jye Yee, 25, and his girlfriend, Ms Vivian Lee, 24, put up a picture of themselves eating “bak kut teh” (herbal pork soup) with the words “Selamat Berbuka Puasa” — a Malay greeting for breaking fast — and the “halal” logo, prompting attacks by netizens for its insensitivity toward religious matters. The Islamic religion, which has just begun a month-long fast to mark Ramadan, forbids the consumption of pork. The commission has called them up to give their statement tomorrow (July 15) and assist in investigations.Its chairman Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi also urged Facebook users to lodge reports on any posting that is insensitive or may cause trouble, and not to share posts that may disrupt multiracial harmony. The couple’s page was closed down subsequently. According to their twitter, Facebook administrators had done so due to “strong negative feedback”. But in a act of defiance, they tweeted on last night (July 13): “You may shut us down now but we will be back and be stronger and better than ever. Enjoy your Ramadan for now.” They have since issued an apology over their offensive Selamat Berbuka Puasa ‘greeting’, calling it their “stupidest stunt”. In a 1:22 minute video uploaded on their youtube channel SexcussionsAlvivi, the couple apologised for the insensitive posting, saying it was done in humour. “We are recording this video to ask for forgiveness for offending Muslims in this holy month of Ramadan,” said Mr Tan in the video. “We sincerely regret offending religious beliefs and sensitivities in multi-cultural Malaysia,” he added, speaking in Malay.He said that they had no intent to insult or ridicule the Muslim faith, nor incite racial conflict. He ended the video by saying “selamat Aidilfitri dan maaf zahir batin (happy Aidilfitri and apologies for all discretions)”. In a post on their twitter account @AlviviSwingers, the couple tweeted “I think this “halal pork for Ramadhan” stunt was the stupidest one we ever pulled. Even I had to admit it. We, were, wrong.” Mr Tan and Ms Lee, both Malaysians, hit the headlines last year after posting sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves on their blog. The former National University of Singapore law student was suspended for one semester and stripped of his Asean scholarship subsequently. AGENCIES