A Personal Reflection: When Good Intentions Go Awry

On the morning of 20th October, at around 8:14 AM, I shared a link on my personal Facebook page about an event in Malaysia that aimed to raise awareness and reduce fear of dogs among the Muslim community. As someone who has always been afraid of dogs, I saw this as a valuable initiative that could help mitigate the number of dog attack incidents in our own country as well.

It’s important to clarify that I never mentioned anything about keeping dogs as pets or violating our religious beliefs and practices. However, some individuals who read my post made their own assumptions and immediately launched attacks against me, as you can see from the comments below.

I was shocked and disturbed by the reactions and comments, which prompted me to make a simple statement referring to “keyboard warriors.” Clearly, the commenters were already in an aggressive mode, and there was no point in trying to explain my stance further.

What I said in my original post was, “I love dogs, and they love me.” This is a psychological method that I have used after several incidents where I was chased and barked at aggressively by dogs. I was told that if we do not show fear, the animals will not attack. This has proven true for me, and I have used this method ever since. It’s important to emphasize that this psychological approach does not involve touching dogs, keeping them as pets, or bringing them into the house and sleeping with them, as some have suggested.

The attacks continued throughout the day, and the comments became increasingly harsh and personal. I was informed that some individuals had taken the time to create a collage of my Facebook posts and personal photos of me and my family. This, to me, was a despicable act. I wanted to take action against these individuals, but I knew there was little that could be done about this form of cyberbullying.

After reading several unpleasant comments, I became concerned for the safety of myself and my family and felt it would be best to resolve this matter amicably. So, I decided to make a public apology to the people of Brunei for hurting their sentiments. Even with the apology, some individuals did not find enough satisfaction and continued to attack me.

From this incident, my personal lesson is that when it comes to issues related (or perceived to be related) to religion in Brunei, it’s better to avoid the topic, no matter how noble one’s intentions might be. More importantly, I have experienced firsthand how harsh, cruel, and violent our people can be (Bruneians, who are supposed to be known for their courtesy), especially in such “Internet Lynch Mob” situations.

Insights from Facebook Comments on the Dog Incident

Analysing the comments from the Facebook post about the dog incident reveals several key insights into public reaction and the dynamics of online discourse, especially on sensitive topics such as religion.

1. Emotional Responses and Sensitivity to Religious Issues

• A significant portion of the comments were emotionally charged and highlighted the sensitivity of religious topics in Brunei.
• Many commenters reacted strongly to the perceived religious implications of the post, even if the original intention was not to address religious practices directly.
• Comments such as “Kalau diri cetek dalam bidang ugama JANGAN CUBA MENGHALALKAN YANG HARAM” (If you are shallow in religious knowledge, DON’T TRY TO LEGITIMISE THE FORBIDDEN) , illustrate the strong sentiments and the quickness to defend religious principles.

2. Polarisation and Online Aggression

• The comments showcased a polarised community, with individuals quickly taking sides and often resorting to personal attacks and name-calling. This polarisation is evident in comments like “bloody ignorant blogger” and “You want to be another Salman Rushdie?” .
• Some users defended the right to express opinions, while others condemned the post as insensitive and disrespectful. The dichotomy in views was stark, indicating deep divides in how such issues are perceived.

3. Support for Open Dialogue

• Despite the negativity, some commenters advocated for more respectful and open dialogue. For instance, “Provocative topic invites provocative discussions… Different people, different opinions” and “It’s not an easy thing to apologise, what more to publicly apologise” .
• These comments highlight the importance of fostering an environment where diverse opinions can be shared respectfully, even on contentious issues.

4. Learning from Mistakes

• Several commenters acknowledged the courage it took to apologise and urged others to learn from the incident. For example, “At least he has apologised… who are we not to accept it?” .
• This reflects a recognition of human fallibility and the importance of forgiveness and learning in community interactions.

Conclusion

The Facebook comments on the dog incident reveal a microcosm of societal dynamics where religion, emotion, and social media intersect. They demonstrate the challenges of discussing sensitive topics online and the need for respectful dialogue. The incident serves as a reminder of the power of words and the importance of considering the broader impact of social media posts. By reflecting on these insights, we can aim to create more inclusive and understanding online communities.