Police not taking action over post about Singaporean Muslims on 'SMRT Feedback by The Vigilanteh' Facebook page

SINGAPORE — After consulting with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the Singapore Police Force said that they would be taking no further action over reports made about an online post on Muslims by the Facebook page named "SMRT Feedback by The Vigilanteh".

In response to queries from TODAY, the police on Monday (July 12) said: “(We) have looked into the matter and consulted the Attorney-General’s Chambers, which directed no further action to be taken as the elements of an offence have not been established beyond reasonable doubt.”

One of the police reports was made by Ms Syazana Yahya, who wrote on her Facebook account that the post was seditious and that it “casts aspersions on a Singaporean Muslim’s loyalty to its nation”.

On May 21, a post was put up on the Facebook page of SMRT Feedback by The Vigilanteh, stating that it is understandable that former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew did not allow Muslims to serve in sensitive military positions, except for a few.

The page has about 430,000 followers.

The post stated that Muslims always prioritise their religion over everything else.

Given Singapore’s relationship with Israel in matters of defence, the Facebook page claimed that Muslims in sensitive military positions dealing with military technology from Israel would have a hard time fulfilling their responsibilities.

The post read: “Would his responsibilities as a Singaporean be overridden by his duties as a Muslim?”

Israel has had a longstanding conflict with Palestinians, who are predominantly Muslim.

Ms Syazana said in her Facebook that she filed a police report against the post on May 22.

She said that Muslims’ primary obligations are towards their family and country, and such a post would cause non-Muslims in Singapore to believe that Muslims are predisposed to be traitors.

“This is a blatant attempt to promote feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will by non-Muslims against Muslims. It is surely an offence under s 298A, Penal Code,” she wrote.

The post on the Facebook page of SMRT Feedback by The Vigilanteh was taken down and the group put up an apology, acknowledging that a line had been crossed.

It also clarified that the original post was not meant to question the loyalty of Muslims in Singapore but to reaffirm their commitment to religion.

When TODAY approached the AGC for comment, it referred to the statement from the police.