KUALA LUMPUR – The communication and information dissemination system of the unity government’s planning and policies to the people is improving, compared to last year.
Moreover, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said efforts to curb the spread of false information by “certain groups” have also shown results.
Fahmi said that last year, the government communication system could be characterised as still being in the learning phase, where the relationship between ministries, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and social media platforms – especially Meta – was still at the introductory stage.
“But we have had discussions, meetings, and (reached) mutual understanding. We know their (Meta) limitations, and they understand our laws. So, cooperation is beginning to increase.
“We have been able to curb fake information to some extent, especially disinformation.
Disinformation is false information intentionally shared with malicious intent, for example to create misunderstanding and doubt.
“We have also identified these colluding ‘groups’, which may have certain ‘coalitions’ to manipulate public opinion.
“Comparing then and now (government communication)…Alhamdulillah, I feel it is better,” he said as a guest speaker for the PodaBoom podcast segment by Scoop recently.
The podcast was hosted by the Big Boom Media group editor-in-chief Terence Fernandez, group chief executive Datuk Zainul Arifin, and group executive director Datuk Ahirudin Attan.
‘What’s the plan?’
Fahmi, who is also the unity government spokesperson, said several changes in the information delivery format have also been made to make government communication easier to understand for the people.
“At the same time, government communication also needs to be corrected. So, we have changed several formats.
“For example, in RTM, we have appointed Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman (director-general of broadcasting), and the news format and content in RTM have been changed and received fairly well.
“In terms of government communication, we have reorganised several things and ensured that the messages conveyed are easy to understand, digest, and absorb (by the people),” he said.
He said the unity government strives through the Madani Malaysia and Madani Economy policies, which serve as the foundation for the shift in planning for national development and direction.
“What’s the plan? We need new industries, new fuel, and better wages. This is the government’s focus now.
“During the year 2023, almost every day and every week, people talked about the government changing, collapsing, from PMX to XPM – that’s what they proposed.
“But the prime minister successfully announced the five most important policies, especially the Madani Economy, to increase the country’s and people’s income.
“The government announced a raise in civil servants’ salaries, in addition to an allocation of RM50 million to assist 1,000 local companies – helping a million workers to start the progressive wage policy from June onwards,” he said.
To address the continuous actions of “groups” spreading fake news including individuals outside the country, Fahmi said countering with arguments and facts alone is not enough.
Instead, the government also considers legal action.
“Sometimes there are certain parties – especially those who feel they cannot be touched by Malaysian law – (they think) they can say anything.
“We can counter arguments with arguments. We can state that what they said is false or incorrect.
“However, up to a certain limit, we need to consider that legal action may be taken to rectify the situation.
“The concept here is not for revenge or to treat people unfairly. No – but to demand justice and place things where they belong, so the principle is justice,” he said. – May 22, 2024