KUALA LUMPUR — Posting unverified information on social media, particularly when it implicates the office of the Prime Minister and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, poses significant risks to national peace and harmony, warns the National Patriot Association (Patriot). The group described such actions as dangerous, unpatriotic, and stupid.
This statement from Patriot follows the fallout from a recent TikTok video falsely alleging that the King and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dined at a non-halal restaurant.
The defamatory post, which has since been removed, is now under investigation by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Lt Col (Rtd) Datuk Zarazilah Mohd Ali, the association’s president, expressed deep concern over the misuse of social media to insult “institutions of nationhood,” calling it a threat to the country’s stability.
“Patriot supports all balanced government initiatives to rein in social media users in order to protect the peace and harmony that is of premium and paramount necessity to keep building a progressive society,” Zarazilah said.
He added that the government should consider introducing laws to safeguard citizens and educate the public on the responsible use of online platforms.
“This includes enacting laws to protect citizens and to educate them on the responsible use of social media,” he said.
On Monday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the MCMC is investigating the TikTok video, which falsely claimed that the King and Anwar had lunch at a non-halal restaurant.
After removing the video, the user issued an apology. Fahmi said while the individual had apologised, he hoped the incident would serve as a lesson for the public not to spread baseless accusations.
Decipher public anger on social media
Zarazilah also acknowledged the frustrations expressed online, attributing them partly to the conduct of “politicians in cohorts with businesses and the corrupt culture.”
He urged those in power to address public grievances and called on leaders to “walk the talk.”
While condemning the abuse of social media, Zarazilah stressed the need for a balanced approach to address its challenges. He urged policymakers, politicians, and business leaders to recognise their role in fostering responsible communication.
“When institutions of a nation are tarnished by irresponsible postings or when the public resorts to social media to expose wrongdoing, we jeopardise the future of our nationhood.
“Malaysia’s current and future peace, harmony, progress and co-existence is a shared and patriotic responsibility. We must never, ever undermine this framework that holds our multiracial, multi-religious and multicultural nation intact,” he said.
Zarazilah further emphasised the shared responsibility of citizens and social media platforms to ensure responsible communication. – December 17, 2024