KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 — Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said it vital for MPs to ensure every statement they issue is accurate, so as to set a good example to others and prevent the dissemination of fake news.
“If we do not know how to verify information and believe in fake news, how about people out there? There are so many social media users.
“Efforts have been made to educate society (on verifying information), like the Klik Dengan Bijak programme undertaken by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) since 2022.
“Maybe MCMC needs to organise a special session for all MPs, including the Kepala Batas MP (Siti Mastura Muhammad), so that as leaders, we can show our capability of verifying any news before sharing,” she said.
Teo was responding to a supplementary question from Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi, who queried about Siti Mastura’s statement, which was said to be false, and the steps taken by the ministry to improve media literacy among elected representatives.
Yesterday, DAP chairman cum Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng gave Siti Mastura until tomorrow (November 9) to prove her allegation that he has family ties with former Malayan Communist Party leader Chin Peng and former Singapore prime minister, the late Lee Kuan Yew.
Lim said the allegation was baseless, and he would take appropriate action if she could not furnish proof within that period.
In her speech in Kemaman, Terengganu, on November 4, which was broadcasted on social media, Siti Mastura, who is Penang PAS Muslimat deputy chief, allegedly implicated Lim and his wife Betty Chew and several other DAP leaders.
To a supplementary question from Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan alleging the government had been unfair in removing social media content, the deputy minister denied allegations that the government practised favouritism.
“I do not agree with Yang Berhormat’s statement because I believe when we remove social media content, in most cases, if I share with our honourable members sitting over there (Opposition), you would also agree with the action taken by PDRM (police) or MCMC,“ she told the Dewan Rakyat.
Earlier, in reply to the original question from Wan Saiful on laws to control 3R issues on social media and public discussion forums, Teo said MCMC, in collaboration with social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube, had taken down 3,752 pieces of content deemed as fake news and hate speech relating to 3R according to Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) from January to October this year.
“The Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD) set up the Task Force to Combat Fake News on December 1, 2022, to check fake news which hurts the political system, the economy, society, religious and cultural aspects, security, and national sovereignty.
“Since its establishment, 156 news items which lack authenticity on issues of 3R, the Prime Minister, and administration have been identified. Monitoring, administrative action, and legal action were coordinated with various agencies, including PDRM and AGC,” she said.
The police opened 75 investigation papers on disseminating fake news and 3R issues, and of this number, 45 cases had been completed, and 30 cases were still under investigation by police, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and MCMC as of November 1.
— Bernama
