While many of us can only dream of being unceremoniously removed from one of the litany of WhatsApp groups (extended family, family redux, work, friends, friends redux, weekend dinner, weekday dinner, birthday surprises etc) that perpetually spam you forwarded messages alternatively wishing you a blessed day, or telling you about Armageddon, one man has taken his unsolicited group exit straight to the heart.
https://www.facebook.com/isham.jalil/posts/10216045118259013
Isham Jalil, an ex-aide to the currently much beleaguered former Prime Minister, Najib Razak, was booted by the administrator of Putrajaya’s Precinct 10 Residents Association WhatsApp group over the alleged deluge of articles he shared criticizing the current Pakatan Harapan government. Claiming the move discriminatory and indicative of a “double standard,” Isham added: “I know the law, and I know my rights.”
While his knowledge of Malaysian jurisprudence is up for debate, common sense and a basic filter might dissuade the average WhatsApp user from spamming his local resident’s association with off-topic content — something that Isham’s enraged Facebook post on the matter actually hints at:
“This is not a regular WhatsApp group,” he wrote. “It is the WhatsApp group of a registered residents association. I am an owner of one of the properties there.”
Sir, a quick word of advice you didn’t ask for: You can’t admit that it’s a social media group intended for housing resident concerns, and then wonder why your allegedly incessant article sharing may have rubbed others the wrong way. While you can’t delete your Bolsonaro-loving auntie from your life or fam chat, you’re a lot less obliged to a relative stranger — you vibe Isham? Most people don’t want to hear about your politics in a housing chat, they just want to make sure the rubbish is collected in a timely manner and no one parks in their space.
Isham maintains that he his removal was politically motivated: “They removed me because of my political stand.”
