Culprit must pay for spreading misinformation on Sarawak governor's health, says premier
KUCHING, June 24 — Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today urged the Putrajaya to strictly act against those who spread misinformation on social media.
He said he has spoken to the federal minister Fahmi Fadzil over the false claim regarding Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud's health.
“We have the laws. MCMC, being the regulatory body, has to enforce certain laws,” he told reporters, referring to the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission.
At the Gawai Dayak open house hosted by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan here, Abang Johari was asked to comment on the Astana Negeri lodging a police report yesterday against the false news.
The Astana Negeri had previously assured all Sarawakians that the governor is well and in good stead, saying that all viral and unverified news regarding the Head of State on social media platforms is completely fake and untrue.
Abang Johari noted that at a recent gathering with the media, he had stressed that there is no such thing as absolute media freedom.
“There must be certain ways for the MCMC to enforce the laws. There is no 100 per cent complete freedom.
“Even today, the United States is looking at the question of freedom because of a lot of shooting incidents. In the USA you can own a gun, but does not it mean that you are being secured,” he said.
The premier asserted that the individual guilty of spreading the misinformation must face the music over their action.
“Just like how we take care of our children. If you give total freedom to our children, they will go over your head. I mean this is the same thing. There must be a certain discipline,” he said.
The premier also commended Astana Negeri for lodging reports with the police and MCMC regarding fake news on the well-being of the governor.
Abang Johari added he has been in touch with the governor, saying: “He is okay. Of course there is no problem.”
