Jason Neo: I am not The One

Yes. The title is inspired by the movie, The Matrix. A similarity in the name of the movie protagonist, Neo is simply too hard to resist to be used in this little post of mine.

Alas, Jason Neo is no Neo of the Matrix. He is for sure not The One who will climb the ladder higher in the Young People's Action Party--in fact he has resigned due to a "moment's folly"--incredibly stupid!!--by posting a religiously and racially very option caption to a photograph on his Facebook page.

The offensive photo had been reproduced in one particular Facebook account by Firdaus Venezio. Angry comments have since flourished in that page. Understandably so. (Note: I see no point of including the URL of the FB page. Why spread the flame if what we're interested more is how the culprit is severely punished?!)

Meanwhile the opposition party, NSP is quick to release a Response to remarks by former YPAP member on Facebook. Issued by Hazel Poa, the Secretary-General, the statement is surprisingly not a criticism to the YP or PAP. Partially quoted:

"The remark made on Facebook by a former member of the Young PAP regarding a school bus of Muslim children was unquestionably irresponsible and inflammatory. However, condemning an entire organization because of the actions of one of its members is not a solution. No organization can monitor everything that each member says, all the time."

Well said, Ms Poa. Let's just hope other politicians from the opposition parties are as mature as you are.

Back to Neo--Jason Neo--it's reported at least 3 police reports have been made against him. Hmm...if only it's like the scene where Neo--in the Matrix--is being interrogated by Agent Smith. Heh. Wishful thinking.

On another note, I just recall I did blog about racism once in 2008 in this post, "Racism is only funny in..."Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay". Not in the real world...or in the blogosphere.". Yeah, a pity that people still do the same mistake.

Harsher punishment against the offender, please.

A Young People's Action Party (YP) member has resigned from the People’s Action Party (PAP) after one of his online posts sparked accusations of racism.

Mr Jason Neo, 30, had posted a religiously and racially offensive caption to a photograph which he uploaded on his Facebook page.

The posting showed a photo he had taken of a school bus with Malay children from Huda Kindergarten, in Woodlands, dressed in their uniform which includes traditional Malay headwear.

His caption said: 'Bus filled with young terrorist trainees?'

This posting, which was made in February before he joined the PAP, went viral recently.

An online furore followed, drawing criticism from Malay opposition politicians and playwright Alfian Sa'at, among others.

His actions were also condemned by YP leaders, including YP chairman Teo Ser Luck.

At least three police reports have been made against him, and the police are investigating the matter.

Mr Neo has also issued an apology on his Facebook page, saying he made the post was out of a "moment's folly" and did not, in any way, represent the view of the PAP or the YP.

He said: "I hereby offer those within our Muslim community and anyone else offended my most sincere and unreserved apology."

Mr Neo, a volunteer at Meet-the-People sessions in Sembawang, had joined the YP in June.

From Asiaone, "PAP Youth member quits over 'racist' online posting".

The youth wing of the People's Action Party (PAP) said it has learnt a lesson from the recent saga, involving a member who posted a racially offensive caption to a photograph on Facebook. The party said it will have more stringent checks of members, including their online behaviour.

This picture with the caption "Bus filled with young terrorist trainees?" was posted on Facebook in February. It recently went viral and sparked accusations of racism.

The posting was made by Young PAP member, Jason Neo, and drew strong criticism.

When news broke of Mr Neo's posting, he was asked to resign from the party immediately. Young PAP said it needed to take swift action to send a strong message that it will not tolerate racist behaviour from its members.

Young PAP chairman Teo Ser Luck, said: "It's really about sending the right signal to the rest of the party members. I think it's important to let them know that our party actually does respect each other's race, religion, and different cultures."

"Whether it's his moment of folly or it's just something that's unintended, it's already been done. I think it's important for us as YP, or PAP, to take action very quickly, to show that we have no space for such things."

Young PAP said it will have to improve its selection process. Previously, it relied on character references to screen potential members. But with the increasing popularity of social media, a new layer of checks may need to be added.

Zaqy Mohamad, vice chairman of Young PAP, said: "It's a lesson learnt for us, that we have to perhaps do a thorough background check on members. But at the same, you would have to do it at different layers because we have thousands of members. So it's impossible, it would not be wise to do a 100% check on everyone. But as they take up appointments, as they hold senior appointments in the PAP, I think we have to be more stringent as they get up higher."

Mr Zaqy said the induction of new members has mostly been left to branch activists. But moving forward, the headquarters will need to be more involved.

He said: "I think it's worthwhile now to ensure that we have a central messaging mechanism to continuous update our members, not just remind them. It's about updating them on new norms or if there are new developments out there that they need to be aware of."

Police said reports have been lodged against Mr Neo, and investigations are ongoing. Mr Zaqy added that the investigations should be allowed to run its course.

From Channel NewsAsia, "Young PAP to have more stringent checks on members".