Crime

Man jailed for violent comment against PM Lee on Facebook post about Shinzo Abe’s shooting

Man gets 4 months’ jail for leaving violent Facebook comment against PM Lee

In 2022, a man commented on a post about the shooting that killed former Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Shinzo Abe.

Crucially, he remarked that someone should commit the same act against PM Lee Hsien Loong.

The 46-year-old pleaded guilty to inciting violence online and was sentenced to four months’ jail on Wednesday (20 March).

Blamed PM Lee and the government as he had trouble securing permanent employment

Speaking in court, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Delicia Tan said the accused — 46-year-old Kong Chee Kian —  failed to secure permanent employment back in 2022 due to health issues.

Kong then decided to blame the government for his predicament, reports The Straits Times (ST).

In particular, he was not fond of the ruling government of which PM Lee was the “head”.

On 8 July 2022, he came across the Facebook post of a Channel NewsAsia (CNA) article, which reported that a man had been arrested following Mr Abe’s shooting.

Kong then commented by saying:

Pls someone do the same to our PM.

He also left a comment saying “your good friend LHL will join you” on a Yahoo Singapore Facebook post regarding Mr Abe’s demise. DPP Tan confirmed that Kong was indeed referencing PM Lee.

One month before, he also replied to an Instagram post showing a Tamagotchi — a handheld digital pet toy. He claimed that the toy was “the only weapon against Singapore PM”.

 

Sentenced to 4 months’ jail for violent comment against PM Lee

According to CNA, DPP Tan sought a jail term of between 4.5 and six months for Kong.

She stressed that “a zero-tolerance approach” should be meted out when dealing with individuals who incite violence against government leaders, regardless of their reasons.

Meanwhile, Kong’s lawyer — Mr Rajoo Ravindran — said his client is a first-time offender and that he was remorseful.

District Judge Kamala Ponnampalam emphasised the severity of Kong’s comments.

She spoke about the need to deal more firmly with those who weaponise “social media platforms to incite violence”.

For inciting violence, Kong could have been jailed for up to five years, fined, or both.

Also read: Man Allegedly Threatens Violence Against PM Lee In Facebook Comment, Gets Arrested

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Trending Us and by MS News. 

Amber Ang

Amber is an unapologetic fangirl and a huge Swiftie.

Recent Posts

S’porean man admits to using toy gun to rob bank in Hong Kong, faces life in prison

He was found to be involved in another attempted robbery two years prior.

11 Mar 2025, 12:17 pm

Harvey Norman Millenia Walk has up to S$500 off laptops, plus a chance to win a staycation for just S$1

Receive free gifts with your purchase at the Ultimate Tech Show, happening on 15 and…

11 Mar 2025, 12:00 pm

Mother in Taiwan falls asleep with hair dryer on, causes newborn’s toes to be amputated

The court sentenced her to five months in jail that can be commuted to a…

11 Mar 2025, 11:38 am

Woman in US arrested for assaulting man with Pringles can till he bled

Upon seeing the wound, law enforcement officers thought it "would leave a scar and permanent…

11 Mar 2025, 11:31 am

Hornbill dad feeds chicks nesting in Tanglin Halt tree, coughs up dead birds for them

The adult hornbill accidentally cracked an egg before it could pass it to its kids.

11 Mar 2025, 11:23 am

No govt grants given for Lady Gaga concerts in S’pore, ‘purely commercial arrangement’ made

Kallang Alive Sport Management negotiated directly with the artist and her team, he said.

11 Mar 2025, 2:18 am