3 youths won't be charged
THE three youths arrested last week over racist activities on
social networking site Facebook have been punished, but they will
not face criminal sanctions as their offences do not merit such
draconian action.
In a statement, the Police said that the unnamed teen who
started the racist group has been placed on the Ministry of
Community, Youth and Sports' (MCYS) Guidance Programme.
According to the MCYS website, the programme started in 1997 is
for first-time offenders that commit minor offences, offering them
an 'opportunity ... to make amends and resolve against re-offending
in the future.'
The youth will undergo a 'voluntary six-month programme that
focuses on counselling and rehabilitation with the active
involvement of parents ... If the juvenile completes the Guidance
Programme successfully, he will not be charged by the Police' but
issued with a caution instead.
The two youths who acted as administrators for the group,
17-year-old Sam Soo Siu Weng and 18-year-old Goh Jun Yi, have also
been let off with a caution.
The Straits Times understands that a caution is less serious
than an official Police warning. Those cautioned will not be
considered to have a criminal record, although it does become part
of their history and can be taken into account if the they are
found to have committed similar offences in future, like say,
setting up racist blogs.
--ST