Malaysia warns against threats by fake news, cybercrimes to society

Dr Wan Azizah Ismail warning against threats by fake news (Bernama)

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister has stressed that social media should be used responsibly and warned that fake news churned out by some people could disrupt society.

“There are some people who are willing to become ‘paid writers’, there is even the term “fakery”, not bakery, a place to make bread, but a place to make fake news,” Dr Wan Azizah Ismail said, quoted by national news agency BERNAMA.

The Deputy Prime Minister was giving a speech at the Productivity Day with the Community and the launch of the AWASpada (Beware Social Media and Online Games) guidebook at the International Islamic University Malaysia (UIA).

With the rising threat of cybercrimes, efforts must be made to increase awareness of the positive and ethical use of the internet, she added.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the initiative taken by the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) by launching the Awaspada Guide Book could help increase public awareness of positive and ethical use of the internet.

She added that it could also make the public understand the negative effects of social media and online games if they are not used wisely.

“It is an effort towards public awareness, especially among students and youths, so that we are cautious about social media use and online games,” she was quoted by BERNMA as saying.

A good understanding of social media use and internet games will help to prevent people from falling victim to cybercrimes, she said.