Singapore Twitter Drama Unrolls: Matilda Lee Under Scrutiny
Picture this: it’s National Day, the sky’s turning the sharpest shades of orange and blue, and a 27‑year‑old Singaporean, known online as Matilda Lee, is causing a buzz on Twitter. Why? Because her tweets are alleged to stir trouble between different racial groups.
The Investigation Begins
- On Sept 2, police announced that Matilda Lee had posted hateful content targeting the Malay community.
- They traced her identity on Aug 29, after receiving a report on the offensive tweets.
- Screenshot evidence showed she was posting right as the National Day Rally lightsened the night.
Public Reaction
Twitter exploded—“Who is Matilda?” and “What’s wrong with her?” flooded feeds. It felt a bit like a viral mystery episode on Crimewatch, but with live Twitter commentary.
Family’s Side‑Story
Enter the dad. A Facebook user, claiming to be her father, sent out an apology:
“I’m begging everyone to stop making this viral. My child has been unwell since 2013, and her actions are not deliberate. Schizophrenia. Once again, I apologise to all.”
He’s using Malay, speaking directly to the on‑line populace. The narrative? Trauma and misunderstanding, not hatred.
Legal Consequences
Promoting racial enmity carries up to three years in jail, a hefty fine, or a bit of both. The law is not playing a joke, although the past month has seen a chorus of similar cases, some of them “just trying to be funny.”
- In June, a 35‑year‑old man under the pseudonym Sharon Liew got a three‑week jail term for tweeting offensive content.
- His lawyers improvised a “parody” defense, claiming more of a slip than an insult.
Linking to National Day and New Laws
Premier Lee popped the topic of race relations in his National Day Rally speech this year, spotlighting the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act. The new law aims to clamp down on racial tensions and watchedly keep harmony in check.
Side Note
Meanwhile, sprinter-turned-activist Riku brushed off racially charged National Day banners in Tanjong Pagar—proofs that “everyone in my family is Singaporean” goes beyond mere words.
The police are still digging. Whether this ends in a court case or a heartfelt apology, it’s a reminder that social media and national pride should play well together—if only the tweets were a tad less explosive.
