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Fmr. Malaysian PM tweets ‘Muslims have the right… to kill millions of French people’

Published

3 years ago

October 29, 2020

Update: After this story posted, Twitter issued an alert to Mohamad’s tweet saying it “violated the Twitter rules about glorifying violence,” but that the platform “determined that it may be in the public’s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible.”

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad posted a thread of tweets early Thursday in which he justified Muslims ‘killing millions of French people’ as a form of revenge. The tweet comes as news continues to develop surrounding a terrorist attack on churchgoers in Nice, France on Thursday that killed three people and injured many others. News from the attack is still developing.

Twitter’s Head of Site Integrity Yoel Roth didn’t immediately respond to this reporter’s request for comment via Twitter Direct Message in which he was asked:

‘Does the following tweet by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia violate Twitter rules? Also, does Twitter plan to remove the tweet over its incitement of violence, especially considering the context of the terrorist attack in France?’

On Wednesday, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testified before the Senate Commerce Committee where he said the speech of world leaders, including the incitement and antisemitism by Iran’s Ali Khamenei, is typically protected as “saber rattling.” Dorsey also admitted that Holocaust denial doesn’t violate Twitter’s rules.

The terrorist who carried out Thursday’s brutal attack in Nice shouted “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is great” in Arabic, as he carried out the attack, according to reports.

The attack comes amid growing tension between French President Emmanuel Macron and leaders of Muslim countries over cartoons circulating around France of the Prophet Muhammad. Macron defends the publication of such cartoons and has condemned the many Muslim nations pushing a boycott of French goods in response.

Thursday’s attack also comes just days after a Paris teacher, Samuel Paty, was beheaded for showing cartoons of Muhammad to his class.

The former Malaysian PM said he didn’t approve of the beheading of Paty, but said “Muslims have the right to be angry and to kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past” and added that the Muslim countries’ boycott of French products amid the dispute with Macron “cannot compensate the wrongs committed by the French all these years.”

The following is his threat that remains on Twitter:

2. The killing is not an act that as a Muslim I would approve. But while I believe in the freedom of expression, I do not think it includes insulting other people. You cannot go up to a man and curse him simply because you believe in freedom of speech.
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) October 29, 2020

4. We often copy the ways of the West. We dress like them, we adopt their political systems, even some of their strange practices. But we have our own values, different as between races and religions, which we need to sustain.
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) October 29, 2020

6. Physically we are different. This limits our capacity to be equal. We have to accept these differences and the limitations that are placed on us. Our value systems is also a part of human rights.
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) October 29, 2020

8. The dress code of European women at one time was severely restrictive. Apart from the face no part of the body was exposed. But over the years, more and more parts of the body are exposed.
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) October 29, 2020

9. The West accepts this as normal. But the West should not try to forcibly impose this on others. To do so is to deprive the freedom of these people.
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) October 29, 2020

11. Macron is not showing that he is civilised. He is very primitive in blaming the religion of Islam and Muslims for the killing of the insulting school teacher. It is not in keeping with the teachings of Islam.
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) October 29, 2020

https://twitter.com/chedetofficial/status/1321765587530338304

13. Since you have blamed all Muslims and the Muslims’ religion for what was done by one angry person, the Muslims have a right to punish the French. The boycott cannot compensate the wrongs committed by the French all these years.https://t.co/ysZeXDrQ09
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) October 29, 2020

Featured

Historic House Vote Expels Rep. George Santos Amidst Scandal

Published

3 days ago

December 1, 2023

Alexander Carter

In a turn of events, the House of Representatives made history on Friday with a vote to expel Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), marking the first such expulsion in over two decades. A moment fraught with gravity unfolded as Speaker Mike Johnson wielded his gavel to formalize Santos’ removal, setting a precedent in congressional annals.

Santos, indicted on 23 counts related to wire fraud, identity theft, and other charges, has not faced conviction but stands accused of misusing campaign funds for opulent purchases. The bipartisan vote, tallying 311 to 114, signaled robust support for expulsion, with a marginally higher number of Republicans opting to retain Santos.

Questions loomed as Speaker Johnson left the chamber, his silence leaving the fate of the ongoing government spending battle uncertain. According to reports from Fox News, Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer emphasized the non-partisan nature of the decision, asserting that members concluded Santos had tarnished the House’s reputation and was unfit for representation.

Within the GOP, conflicting opinions emerged, with Rep. Darrell Issa arguing against expulsion, citing the presumption of innocence. The tight-lipped stance of the House Ethics Committee played a pivotal role in the deliberations.

Conversely, members of the New York Republican delegation, led by Rep. Marc Molinaro, asserted Santos’ commission of crimes, justifying expulsion based on a comprehensive investigation.

Santos himself predicted the outcome in an exclusive morning interview on “FOX & Friends.” This vote not only underlines the House’s rare use of expulsion powers but also sets a critical precedent in handling members facing severe legal challenges.