Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called out individuals spreading fake news regarding oil prices and other essential goods, describing it as an attempt to manipulate political narratives.
Taking to his Facebook page, he stated that the creation and dissemination of lies is a betrayal of the people and the country, especially during these challenging times as Malaysians navigate extraordinary circumstances.
He wrote, “While the country faces an increasingly acute energy crisis, there are still those who choose to lie, spread hatred, and incite slander by disseminating fake news about the price of oil and goods. This is not just irresponsible; it is a planned attempt to mislead the public for the sake of narrow politics.”
“We cannot compromise with cheap politics that gamble with the fate of the people. This is a betrayal of the people and the nation,” he added.
Anwar calls for strict action
The Prime Minister further shared that he has ordered the relevant authorities to take appropriate action after 96 posts were discovered to be spreading falsified content.
“Therefore, we have no choice but to request that the authorities, be they the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) or the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), take action. Thus far, MCMC has detected 96 instances of fake news content regarding oil and electricity prices on social media,” he said.
“What is the purpose of this? The people are suffering, and the country is challenged and forced to take action due to wars elsewhere. Yet, they continue to take treacherous steps against the country by spreading false stories, gambling with the people’s fate simply for cheap political gains and survival,” he added.
The Prime Minister concluded his post by urging the public to be discerning, filter the content they consume, and seek out the facts.
Investigations underway
In a statement, MCMC revealed that they are already investigating five individuals over the spread of false information regarding petrol and diesel price hikes.
“Based on the complaints received, the content disseminated by these individuals regarding petrol and diesel prices was found to be false, misleading, and had the potential to cause anxiety among consumers,” the commission stated.
Additionally, Buletin TV3 has filed a complaint with MCMC regarding third parties allegedly using their visual identity to disseminate viral fake content.
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