SINGAPORE: Policeman who nabbed racist blogger gets award

Station Inspector Mohamed Zulnizan Mohamed Arsis arrested blogger for comments against Malays

Straits Times
Monday, June 5, 2006

By Khushwant Singh

Station Inspector Mohamed Zulnizan Mohamed Arsis stayed awake for the better part of two days tracking down the blogger who posted racist remarks in October last year.

For his devotion to duty, he will be among the 335 police officers to receive commendation certificates today from Police Commissioner Khoo Boon Hui.

The 32-year-old inspector started tracking the blogger when a police report was made about his comments against Malays.

Inspector Zulnizan said: "I knew I had to check that particular blog every two hours so as not to miss any posting by the blogger's friends. If not, some of the postings would be replaced with new ones.

"Within a day, I found out what school he was in. Then I found out his address and he was arrested."

The 17-year-old blogger pleaded guilty and was placed on probation for two years and ordered to do 180 hours of community work for Malay welfare organisations to clear his misconceptions about Malays.

Inspector Zulnizan, a father of two sons aged four and two, said his teacher wife used to complain about his irregular hours but has now come to realise how much he enjoys his work.

Sleuthing also suits another award winner -- 32-year-old Staff Sergeant Mohammed Juanda.

"Every assignment requires a different approach -- a different cover," he said.

He is one of the five members of the Orchard Task Force, commended for making 27 arrests last year in cases involving theft, pickpocketing, credit card fraud, robbery and rioting in the Orchard Road area.

Date Posted: 6/5/2006