KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-PH) has refuted claims that the government is unfair in removing online content, as a video of Siti Mastura Muhammad (Kepala Batas-PN) falsely linking DAP lawmakers to Chin Peng is still available on YouTube.
Teo was responding to a question by Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (Tasek Gelugor-PN), who asked if she agreed that the government is partial in its actions when dealing with online content.
He alleged that the government is quick to remove unfavourable content online but negative ones on the opposition are not taken down.
“I disagree with your statement, as I believe when we take down social media content, most cases – if I share with you – you would agree with the actions taken by police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission,” said Teo.
“If criticism or false accusations against this side (government bloc) would be immediately taken down, (why is) the speech by Kepala Batas (Siti Mastura) still on YouTube and social media?
“We did not remove it.”
Soon after, Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands-BN) firmly reminded the lawmakers about their decorum before another shouting match could start.
Teo then expressed concern about the level of awareness among social media users as even a leader may not be savvy enough to fact-check fake news.
“MCMC must organise a session and invite all MPs – including Kepala Batas (Siti Mastura) – to participate, because we, as leaders, must show that before we spread any news, we must verify it first.”
Earlier during question time, Wan Saiful claimed that the government’s partiality would cause misunderstanding about its governance, while also accusing Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Bintulu-GPS) of inciting racial disharmony when defending his “unethical behaviour”.
In response, Teo questioned if it is unethical for non-Muslim ministers and deputies to consume alcohol.
Subsequently, Wan Saiful and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) cited Standing Order 36(6), claiming that she “bersangka jahat” (maliciously assumed) about the issue.
Yesterday, Siti Mastura was bombarded by questions from several DAP lawmakers throughout her debate on Budget 2024 at the committee level over a speech she made in a PAS programme in Kemaman recently.
Siti Mastura had alleged that DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH) and DAP stalwart Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang were related to former Malayan Communist Party leader Chin Peng and former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
The speech, which was uploaded to YouTube, showed her asserting that Guan Eng’s father, Kit Siang, is a relative of Chin Peng and Lee.
Guan Eng had repeatedly denied the claims, adding that Mastura has until Thursday to provide proof supporting her “malicious slander” before taking legal action. – November 8, 2023