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Muhyiddin's FB post of condolences for Ismail Haniyeh also taken down by Meta

KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin's post offering condolences over the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh has also been taken down by Meta.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, in a Facebook posting of his own, questioned Meta's decision in the matter.

"Is it an offence to issue a statement condemning an atrocity that took a life, to the extent that such a statement is removed from public reading? Is condemning brutal killings and denouncing genocide classified as violating community standards?"

Ismail, who was the face of Hamas since the war began in October last year, was reportedly attacked at his residence in Tehran early yesterday after he attended a swearing in ceremony for Iran's new president.

Hamzah posted screenshots of Muhyiddin's account receiving an automated message and a warning from the site.

"Your post goes against our Community Standards, so only you can see it", the message reads.

"Community Standards violations. If content on a Page goes against our Community Standards, it can put the Page at risk for restrictions."

Hamzah chided these messages and called for Malaysians to reject Meta's efforts.

"Which community standard (is there) that is accepted by society? Brutal murder or condemning brutal murder?

"Malaysians should see this as yet another attempt to undermine the condemnation of atrocities and injustices", he said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's own expression of shock and anger over Haniyeh's assassination was also taken down, by Meta, from Facebook and Instagram.

Anwar has since strongly criticised the social media platforms for taking down his posts, calling the action "a display of cowardice".

Hamzah called on for the government to act in the wake of this widespread censorship.

"Most importantly, the public wants to see a clearer and firmer stance from the Malaysian government towards the actions of international companies like these. Who is really our enemy?"

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