Local YouTube couple Jeff and Inthira have recently kickstarted an online petition in response to hateful comments made towards Yang Bao Bei (YBB) following her suicide attempt last Saturday (April 17).
If you’ve been out of the loop about this incident, you can read it here:
So…what’s the story?
According to a recent IG story posted by YBB’s family, she has been arrested under Section 309 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of not more than a year, a fine, or both for her suicide attempt. They also mentioned that whoever bought products from her will be refunded soon.
Many have speculated that this alludes to accusations of YBB duping fans of their money by promising to deliver expensive products, only to ghost them. It has also opened a Pandora’s box of toxic comments directed towards YBB, but before we delve any further, let’s take a look at the products which she promised to fans:
1. Branded bags
This was first hinted at by local DJ Leng Yein, who subtly referred to it as the “YouTube influencer’s bag scam”.
In her post, Leng Yein mentioned many people who claimed YBB had cheated them of their money had reached out to her for help, so she asked the victims to write out the type of bag they bought, the amount, how much it cost in total, and the excuses that YBB gave not to refund them.
She then consulted some friends from the legal profession and filmed a video teaching victims how to get their money back.
However, Gatita Yan claimed that Leng Yein was jumping on the bandwagon in shaming YBB by using the word “her” in the post and accused her of gaining traction from other influencers’ misery, saying that she was no different from a cyberbully.
2. YouTube Channel
A woman claimed to have paid YBB RM30K for a YouTube channel last month. However, she realised that the account was sold to another person after reading Leng Yein’s comments on her post.
She then posted several YouTube videos to share her side of the story, where she showed multiple WhatsApp chat logs and transaction slips that proved she had paid YBB for the channel. Unfortunately, she couldn’t lodge a police report against YBB as she is currently in Thailand.
Not long after, several YBB fans came out in full force and used abusive language against the woman by telling her to kill herself, which has understandably left her shaken.
“Her fans verbally attacked me and told me to kill myself. But I’ve never cyberbullied her [YBB] in any way. I even wrote that I wish her the best and that she’ll recover soon. All I am asking for is to get my money back. If I don’t speak out, how can I get my money back?”
Another man posted a YouTube video, claiming that he had transferred RM10K into YBB’s bank account last month in four separate transactions to buy a YouTube channel from her. However, after making the payment, he discovered that the password couldn’t be used and decided to do some digging. He then found out that it was sold to another person at a different price and subsequently lodged a police report, demanding a refund from YBB’s family.
Whose side are you on?
The issue inevitably created a rift between netizens, who were unsure of which side to take.
On the one hand, some were sympathetic towards YBB and disapproved of Leng Yein’s take of the issue, saying that she was insensitive and harsh.
But on the other, numerous netizens blatantly disregarded YBB’s mental state, suggesting that she attempted suicide to gain attention and that she should have jumped when she had the chance.
Stopping cyberbullying in its tracks
Amidst all the hurtful comments levied towards YBB, Jeff and Inthira released a video where they blasted netizens who took the opportunity to mock YBB by telling her to throw herself off the building instead of wasting the firefighters’ time.
“Imagine if the person trying to commit suicide is your family member or friend. Would you say the same thing?”
“I dare all of you to show your comments to your parents and friends and see what they have to say about it!”
Watch the video here:
While the couple reiterated that YBB should take responsibility for her actions, they also urged viewers to give her space and time to recover and not verbally attack her.
“Cyberbullying is a serious issue. As such, we are launching a “Stop Cyberbullying” petition to urge lawmakers and the public to take this issue seriously,” they said in a Facebook post along with the petition’s link.
“This petition will be given to government officials so that they can enact better laws and regulate online speech. It also aims to give netizens a conducive environment while protecting their right to Internet use. Please do not wait until it is too late!”
As of 3 pm today, around 27,000 signatures have been gathered so far.
What do you think about the incident? Is it appropriate to limit freedom of speech on the Internet? Comment below!
If you feel depressed or need a listening ear, please reach out to your family and friends or call Befrienders KL at 03-76272929 (Open 24/7).
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and is a compilation of public opinions on the subject matter. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of WeirdKaya.
Sources: FB/ Jeff & Inthira, China Press Daily
Editor: Raymond Chen
Proofreader: Sarah Yeoh
