Singapore: A 33-year-old man, Chua Wang Cheng, also known as Cai Wangchen, was sentenced on Monday to six months in prison for creating fake social media accounts to post anti-Islamic content, using the identity of someone he had met eight years earlier, report The Straits Times.
Chua bore grudges against the victim, whom he had encountered during national service in 2011, perceiving him as arrogant and sarcastic. Driven by his resentment, Chua set up a Facebook account in February 2019 under the victim’s name and photograph. He added over 600 friends and shared posts inciting racial and religious hatred.
The victim, whose identity remains protected under a gag order, was called in by the police multiple times, leading to significant psychological and professional harm. Despite denying ownership of the fake account and filing a police report, Chua continued his campaign by creating another account with the victim’s details in September 2019.
Chua’s actions escalated when he began sharing anti-Islamic YouTube videos. In one instance, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura or MUIS) noted that the videos contained derogatory remarks about Islam, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and the Muslim community. Chua admitted via WeChat messages that he derived satisfaction from posting such content.
Investigations revealed his deliberate intent to harm the victim and wound the religious feelings of Muslims. He pleaded guilty to one charge under the Protection from Harassment Act and two charges of deliberately offending religious sentiments. Four other charges were taken into account during sentencing.
District Judge Carol Ling acknowledged Chua’s mild autistic traits but noted that the Institute of Mental Health found no active mental disorders influencing his behaviour during the offences. The police eventually traced the posts to Chua and arrested him.
This case underscores Singapore’s commitment to maintaining racial and religious harmony. Authorities have reiterated that actions inciting division will not be tolerated, and offenders will face strict legal consequences.
