JHEV to File Complaint Against Two Veteran Groups over Cyberbullying
The veterans’ affairs department (JHEV) will file a complaint with the communications ministry and the Registrar of Societies over "cyberbullying" by two groups, its director-general Semaon Marjuki said.
Background
The department has been at odds with two veteran groups, Pertubuhan Pembela Pejuang Malaysia and Pertubuhan Suara Patriotik Rakyat Malaysia, over the pension adjustment. The two groups had refused to meet with JHEV to discuss the matter, and instead chose to express their grievances on Facebook.
Cyberbullying Allegations
JHEV claimed that the two groups had slandered both the department and Semaon on Facebook, inciting hatred against JHEV and Semaon. The department also alleged that the two groups had smeared the credibility of the director-general and the department’s personnel.
Protest and Pension Issues
On Monday, about 30 former servicemen gathered at JHEV’s office to seek an explanation over the way pensions are calculated. One of them, Rafique Ali Ahmad Nordin, 65, claimed that most of them did not receive the promised 8% increase in pensions. The protest was planned to take place on December 23, but JHEV urged police to stop the gathering in a letter to Bukit Aman.
Response from JHEV
Semaon said that Pertubuhan Pembela Pejuang Malaysia had no locus standi to stage the protest as it was not registered with the department as a body representing former armed forces personnel.
Conclusion
JHEV’s decision to file a complaint against the two veteran groups highlights the ongoing tensions between the department and the groups over the pension adjustment. The allegations of cyberbullying and incitement of hatred against JHEV and Semaon raise concerns about the level of discourse in the community.
FAQs
- What are the allegations against the two veteran groups?
- The two groups have been accused of cyberbullying JHEV and Semaon, inciting hatred against them, and smearing the credibility of the department’s personnel.
- Why did the two groups protest?
- The groups protested over the pension adjustment, claiming that most of them did not receive the promised 8% increase in pensions.
- Why did JHEV urge police to stop the protest?
- JHEV claimed that Pertubuhan Pembela Pejuang Malaysia was not registered with the department as a body representing former armed forces personnel, and therefore had no locus standi to stage the protest.