Man charged over making insulting, profane remarks against Muslim community in S’pore on TikTok
Elvin John Baptist was handed one charge of insulting the religion of another person.
Singapore authorities arrested Elvin John Baptist, a 27-year-old Singaporean, on August 7, alleging he made insulting and profane remarks against the Muslim community on TikTok. Baptist faces one charge under the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act for his actions on March 1. According to court documents, he posted two TikTok videos in Malay that insulted the Muslim religion and threatened public peace.
The police reported Baptist's alleged actions on the day the videos were uploaded, but he had already left Singapore. With assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police, Baptist was deported from Malaysia on August 6 and arrested upon his arrival in Singapore. He is also cooperating with police investigations into a separate video case showing a man stepping on a Quran, believed to have been filmed on a public bus in Singapore.
Following this incident, Meta was issued five disabling directions by the police on March 7 to prevent access to the offensive content by users in Singapore. Baptist has been remanded for a medical examination, and his case will be heard again on August 21. The police emphasized their commitment to maintaining racial and religious harmony, stating that anyone who makes remarks or acts in a manner that can cause enmity, hatred, or hostility between different racial or religious groups will be dealt with swiftly and firmly in accordance with the law. Convicted individuals can face up to five years in jail, fines, or both.
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