Senior Islamic official accused of watching porn clips

Members of the Trang provincial Islamic committee call for an investigation into a deputy committee chairman for allegedly watching porn clips at the office. (Photo by Methee Muangkaew)

TRANG: A group of provincial Islamic committee members and local residents have asked provincial authorities to investigate a deputy committee chairman for allegedly watching porn clips at an office computer almost every day for nearly two months.

The accused man categorically denied the accusation, insisting he was just doing his job of monitoring online clips that may affect Islam’s image.

A staffer responsible for office equipment at the Trang provincial Islamic committee office in Yan Ta Khao district told local reporters that the problem began when office computers in the same network at the office had slowed to a crawl. He then checked the browsing history of users and found many indecent websites had been opened, causing the office’s computers to be infected with viruses. He then alerted committee members.

Closed-circuit television cameras were later installed, enabling them to identify the person who opened the clips.

It turned out to be Sudeen Subten, a deputy chairman. He was heavily criticised by local Muslim residents after images of him watching those clips, mostly at night, were shared online.

Samarn Lipaphan, a member of the provincial Islamic committee, said the panel had recently held a meeting to discuss the matter.

During the meeting, Mr Sudeen denied the accusation and claimed he was just looking for information and inspecting clips deemed insulting to Muslim women. However, Mr Samarn said the man lied despite the evidence from the CCTV footage.

Mr Samarn alleged on some occasions, the man took off his clothes while watching the clips. He claimed several committee members found this unacceptable and felt embarrassed by the conduct of the man, who was a senior member and commanded respect from many Muslim people.

Mr Sudeen said on Friday that he was aware of the allegation levelled against him.

As he was responsible for legal affairs and hosted a radio programme, he had to watch online videos following complaints several clips and images affecting Muslims went viral, said Mr Sudeen.

He shrugged off the allegation, saying it was merely a joke. Those clips could be watched on mobile phones or personal computers at home if a person wanted to see them, he said.

He also claimed he was tasked with inspecting the building so he had to stay at the office at night. He also wanted to gather information for his radio programme to call for an end to discrimination against Muslims.

On Friday, a group of 20 Islamic committee members and local residents submitted a letter to Trang governor Luechai Charoensap and Prayoon Nusuk, provincial culture chief, to investigate into the matter.

They also planned to submit a letter to the Chularajmontri office, the official head of the Thai Muslim community, asking for a probe.