Cisco, Pemandu and TNB take firm action against employees for insulting monarchy

Sultan Mohammad V’s abdication from the throne of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was certainly a surprise to the nation but whatever our opinion may be about the matter, we need to understand that the things we say, especially on social media can have consequences. As it turns out, three employees from three very established companies in Malaysia learnt this the hard way.

Cisco

Earlier today, Cisco Systems Malaysia managing director Albert Chai said an employee had left the company recently in the face of overwhelming public pressure after he made an insensitive remark on Facebook about the monarchy. However, it was not determined if the person had left the company on his own accord or if he was asked to resign.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page today (Jan 8), Cisco via its regional Facebook page Cisco Asean said it believes in respecting and honouring local traditions and laws.

“The remark was made by the employee in his personal capacity and does not represent Cisco’s views.

“We deeply regret any distress caused and apologise. The employee has also issued an apology and is no longer with the company,” it said.

Pemandu

Consultancy firm, Pemandu Associates, has suspended an employee for a Twitter post that allegedly insulted the royal institution after Sultan Muhammad V resigned as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong last week.

The firm said in a brief notice on its Facebook page that the staff had been suspended with immediate effect pending internal investigations. Pemandu said that it views the matter seriously.

“Pemandu Associates has suspended an employee with immediate effect regarding a tweet allegedly posted by the individual in reference to the royalty,” it said in a brief statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday (Jan 8).

The unidentified staff is one of the three people to face firm reprimand from their employers this week after they had posted insulting remarks on social media on the unprecedented abdication of a Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Tenaga Nasional Berhad

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has also suspended one of its employee over a remark allegedly made against the monarch on social media.

TNB, on its TNB Careline Facebook page on Tuesday (Jan 8), said that the suspension is pending investigationby the company over the matter.

“The statement made by the individual was made on her own accord, and it contradicts and is not in line with the company’s principles.

“We apologise for what has happened,” TNB said in a statement.

The TNB Careline Facebook was bombarded with messages by the public, calling the power supply company to terminate the employee over her alleged insensitive remark on Twitter.

[via, Malay Mail]

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