By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, July 16: A single “half-cooked” rumour spread by an influencer chasing online engagement can instantly undermine public confidence in an entire institution, said Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol.
Speaking at the Sarawak Media Conference (SMEC) 2026 today, Abdullah warned that the pursuit of online attention has driven some individuals to rely on toxic sensationalism, inappropriate content and unverified claims to grow their following and often at the expense of truth and public trust.
“Armed with nothing more than a smartphone and a thirst for likes, these self-proclaimed public reporters broadcast live to millions, stripping stories of context, operating on raw assumptions and fuelling emotional outrage rather than verified facts,” he said during the conference at Pullman Hotel.
He said the growing influence of content creators and social media personalities had significantly transformed the media landscape, with journalists and communicators now facing challenges beyond traditional news reporting and reputation management.
“They are no longer merely reporting news or managing reputations, but have become ‘emergency first responders’ in an ongoing information war,” he said.
Abdullah stressed that freedom of speech must always be accompanied by responsibility, particularly in a multiracial country like Malaysia where misinformation could affect social harmony.
He said the Rukun Negara should continue to serve as a guiding principle for media practitioners and public communicators in upholding social cohesion and responsible communication.
Abdullah also highlighted Malaysia’s legislative measures to address online harms, including the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the Online Safety Act 2025, which came into force on Jan 1 this year.
He said the Online Safety Act places greater responsibility on major social media platforms to remove harmful and inflammatory content through stringent risk mitigation measures, with penalties of up to RM10 million for non-compliance.
However, Abdullah stressed that legislation alone was insufficient, adding that journalists and communicators must act swiftly by providing accurate and verified information to counter misinformation.
The conference, officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, was attended by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister in the Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Minister of Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, and Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil. — DayakDaily
