Infamous teenager Amos Yee sparked waves of fury by Singaporeans across the country last week when he uploaded a video of himself going on an anti-Lee Kuan Yew rant a day before the State Funeral.
He was arrested later on following several police reports lodged against the boy for attacking the country's beloved founding Prime Minister and also for insulting Christians with his remarks. Yee was mainly charged for sedition, as his video "contained remarks against Christianity, with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of Christians in general".
His arrest and subsequent charges are being seen as being too heavy-handed by foreign media channels, who are having a field day writing about Singapore's lack of freedom of speech, especially so soon since the country's de facto leader passed away.
Most of the faction here that are for Yee's arrest have been satisfied with the swift justice dealt on the 16-year-old boy in their continual effort to defend the good name of Lee Kuan Yew.
On the other side of the cliff stands the faction who are defending Yee. There's already an online petition to the Singapore government on activist website change.org, set up by petitioners who described themselves as Christians have called for Yee's release."How are the Singaporean's calling for the death of Amos Yee, figuratively and literally, any different from the terrorists that killed Charlie Hebdo?" says Ross Gavin, one of the supporters for Yee's release."That said, he was categorically wrong for what he said, but he has every right to say what he wanted to say. He is after all paying the price for it now. But what is sad is not about what he said, but more so the disproportionate public outcry over a silly misguided teenager."
As of writing, the petition has close to 3,000 signatures.
Further digging into Yee's past reveals a blogpost written by him about his experience in Zhonghua Secondary School, where he talks about his insecurities, his difficulties in socializing and other facets that depict him to be an outcast in speech, thought and maturity from his peers. Many have spoken out that Yee actually needs counseling instead of punishment.
Actor Tosh Zhang, star of the Ah Boys To Men series has also thrown in his two cents about Yee, partially defending him for his actions.
My 2cents.
A photo posted by Tosh Zhang (@toshrock) on Mar 30, 2015 at 12:04am PDT
Among the many other calls for support and calls to condemn the teenager, it's obvious that his arrest has raised the question of sensitivity and social acceptance for outliers such as Yee. While discussion rages on online through commentaries, articles and inane comments, the seemingly remorseless Yee awaits sentencing in silence — and most probably enjoying the nationwide attention he's enjoying right now.
Infamous teenager Amos Yee sparked waves of fury by Singaporeans across the country last week when he uploaded a video of himself going on an anti-Lee Kuan Yew rant a day before the State Funeral.
He was arrested later on following several police reports lodged against the boy for attacking the country's beloved founding Prime Minister and also for insulting Christians with his remarks. Yee was mainly charged for sedition, as his video "contained remarks against Christianity, with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of Christians in general".
His arrest and subsequent charges are being seen as being too heavy-handed by foreign media channels, who are having a field day writing about Singapore's lack of freedom of speech, especially so soon since the country's de facto leader passed away.
Most of the faction here that are for Yee's arrest have been satisfied with the swift justice dealt on the 16-year-old boy in their continual effort to defend the good name of Lee Kuan Yew.
On the other side of the cliff stands the faction who are defending Yee. There's already an online petition to the Singapore government on activist website change.org, set up by petitioners who described themselves as Christians have called for Yee's release."How are the Singaporean's calling for the death of Amos Yee, figuratively and literally, any different from the terrorists that killed Charlie Hebdo?" says Ross Gavin, one of the supporters for Yee's release."That said, he was categorically wrong for what he said, but he has every right to say what he wanted to say. He is after all paying the price for it now. But what is sad is not about what he said, but more so the disproportionate public outcry over a silly misguided teenager."
As of writing, the petition has close to 3,000 signatures.
Further digging into Yee's past reveals a blogpost written by him about his experience in Zhonghua Secondary School, where he talks about his insecurities, his difficulties in socializing and other facets that depict him to be an outcast in speech, thought and maturity from his peers. Many have spoken out that Yee actually needs counseling instead of punishment.
Actor Tosh Zhang, star of the Ah Boys To Men series has also thrown in his two cents about Yee, partially defending him for his actions.
My 2cents.
A photo posted by Tosh Zhang (@toshrock) on Mar 30, 2015 at 12:04am PDT
Among the many other calls for support and calls to condemn the teenager, it's obvious that his arrest has raised the question of sensitivity and social acceptance for outliers such as Yee. While discussion rages on online through commentaries, articles and inane comments, the seemingly remorseless Yee awaits sentencing in silence — and most probably enjoying the nationwide attention he's enjoying right now.