Toxic news travels faster than the truth. Our world desperately needs to discern truth from fiction in our news and public, political and economic discussions… Until then, it is sort of up to us to police statements made by irresponsible individuals, such as a fake statement linking currently on trial Siti Bainun Ahd Razali with former First Lady, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.
Taking to Facebook, this individual began spreading fake news stating that Siti Bainun, currently under trial for the abuse of a down-syndrome child, is a VVIP due to her connections with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah.
Condemning the individual for his actions, Facebook page Saya Sayang Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad writes: “We urge account owners Khairul Fikri and Hafiz Noor, who were responsible in spreading slander against the family of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah to issue an apology.”
“Linking a person’s name, without due diligence in sourcing the truth should not have happened, just because both families share the same name.”
“We all want justice for Bella. The action to spread slander and link a person’s name with another, creating unwanted attention and increased speculation is spiteful and should not have taken place.”
Both individuals ‘shared’ that Siti Bainun is the daughter of a former Selangor Menteri Besar, who is linked to the family of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah.
One of them, has since issued an apology as per requested by Tun Dr Mahathir’s Facebook page.
“I would like to issue an apology to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his family for my previous post. I confess that I did not source the information I received with due diligence and would like to ask that I am forgiven for my actions.”
“I would like to state that Siti Bainun is not linked to the family of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah. She does not belong, nor is she related to any VVIP.”
Garnering over 1.8k likes, netizens agree that the culprits responsible should be met with a heavier punishment and that a police report should be made on the matter.
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