PUTRAJAYA – Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah has given an assurance that action under the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance (No.2) 2021 will be taken against those involved in spreading false news about COVID-19 and the Proclamation of Emergency, and not because of criticism.
He said his ministry (KKMM) listened to the views and criticisms of various parties, whether members of opposition parties, non-governmental organisations or the Malaysian Human Rights Commission, who expressed concern about the ordinance.
“I would like to reiterate that this ordinance on untrue news is not at all intended for politicians. If he (politician) criticises me or the government in relation to matters involving vaccines or the ordinance, that criticism is different from fake news.
“We will make sure that the action taken is on fake news, not criticism. In matters of democracy, it is possible to criticise but if it involves fake news, then no matter who spreads it, anyone can be hit (receive action),” he told reporters after the launch of the book “Respecting National Emblems” and KKMM’s one-year report card, here, today.
Saifuddin said the ordinance was aimed at protecting the public from being deceived by fake news instead of saving the government (from criticism).
Saifuddin said the ordinance was only to protect the people from being deceived by untrue news that discourages them from registering for the COVID-19 vaccine because they were deceived by allegations that the Chinese-made vaccines used illegal substances and that vaccines from other countries were unsafe.
“We want to protect the people from being deceived by fake news. The question of wanting to criticise the government, me or KKMM is a democracy matter, that is not our goal,” he said.
On Kuala Langat member of parliament Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar who quit PKR for allegedly being pressured, Saifuddin spontaneously said: “First, it has nothing to do with COVID-19, second it has nothing to do with the Emergency, so I will not take action.”
He said Xavier’s stand, which expressed support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin despite not joining any party in the Perikatan Nasional, should be respected.
On Saturday, Xavier resigned as vice-president and PKR member with immediate effect after being with the party since 1998, saying that he was frustrated with the actions of some parties who continue to discuss the election when the main focus should be helping the people and tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Man apologises
In a recent case, a man has apologised for spreading rumours alleging three restaurants had positive Covid-19 cases, causing their business to plunge.
The man apologised to the restaurants, their neighbours, and the community late last month for creating two posts on Facebook with photos of the restaurants attached.
As the restaurants selling duck rice, vegetable dumplings (chai kuih) and dumpling noodles have operated for generations and are well known among the local community, the post quickly went viral over social media before he took it down.
“I heard it from rumours and it was meant to warn others, never had I expected the information would be false.
“I sincerely apologise to the restaurants and everyone around.
“I now assure everybody that the restaurants are indeed Covid-19 free and there is no truth to the rumours,” he said during a press conference at one of the restaurants on Feb 25, a local daily reported.
The restaurants’ operators did not lodge a police report over the incident and forgave the man.
Among the affected victims was a man who operates a duck rice stall with his father.
“On Tuesday (Feb 23), the street turned quiet and there were hardly any customers in the shop.
“I was shocked when several phone calls came in asking if any Covid-19 cases were recorded at my restaurant, then I was told about the social media posts.
“Even neighbouring hawkers came to see me for clarification,” he said.
A dumpling noodle seller said he was disappointed over the incident as it affected the livelihood of his workers and villagers living around.
“Business in the entire village dropped because of the fake news.
“People are working hard in business to earn and feed their families,” said Kee, whose mother started the business about 30 years ago.
