Police defend arrest of teens over SPM paper rant

Police have defended the move to arrest two teenagers over a viral video attacking the SPM History paper.

Hulu Selangor district police chief Suffian Abdullah pointed out that the arrest of the two students - who were released this morning - went by the book.

"The arrests followed legal provisions and all are subject to the law including students," he said in a statement tonight.

Suffian was responding to Lawyers for Liberty’s criticism of the arrests. Other groups have also criticised the arrests as being heavy-handed and overkill.

The two teenagers were arrested on Friday night after the police raided their homes following a teacher’s police report against them.

This was over a 36-second video on social media, which showed one of the teenagers in school uniform ranting against the creator of the SPM History paper and showing his middle finger.

He was also heard making disparaging remarks about a neighbouring country.

The boys were remanded for two days. Suffian, however, said they were granted an early release - at 11am today.

He said the remand was necessary to record the two students' statements more thoroughly, to examine case facts including the contents of their phone, and to get their disciplinary record from the school.

Suffian said the investigation paper will be completed soon and sent to the deputy public prosecutor for feedback.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek assured that the two students will be allowed to continue with their SPM examinations.

"They will be allowed to sit for (the rest of) their SPM papers," she was quoted as saying by The Star.

"Counsellors from the Education Ministry have also been assigned to the school to ensure that students sitting for the examinations keep their emotions in check.

"All students and teachers, however, are reminded not to issue any statements which will disrupt the harmony between race, religion, nation and international relations," she added.

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