KUCHING: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has to enforce certain laws in combating the spreading of fake news, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said that there is no such thing as absolute freedom for people to spread fake news, as there must be a limitation to it.
“The other day, I talked to the ministers, and I think MCMC has to enforce certain laws, and there must be certain ways to enforce them.
“There is no 100 per cent freedom today. Even the United States (US) is now looking at the question of freedom because there’s been a lot of shooting.
“In the US, you can own a gun, but does that mean that you are secure? So there must be a limitation to freedom. There is no such thing as 100 per cent absolute freedom,” he said.
He said this when met by the media after attending the Gawai Dayak open house hosted by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan here today (June 24).
The premier pointed out that the MCMC must now be strict in complying with the laws regarding the matter.
“Not that we want to control the issues of freedom, but it must be within certain rules; there must be rules.
“For example, if we give 100 per cent freedom to our children, one day they will disobey us. And that means the same thing: there must be certain discipline,” he added.
Meanwhile, when asked about fake news regarding Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s health condition, Abang Johari said he has no further comment on it.
“I think Astana Negeri Sarawak has done their job; I have no more comment on it,” he said.
When questioned about whether he kept in touch with Taib, he replied yes.
“Yes, he is okay. If he is okay, that means no problem,” he said.
Last Thursday (June 22), the Astana Negeri Sarawak issued a statement to provide reassurance that Taib is in good health and wellbeing.
The Head of State’s private secretary Junih Salleh Ahmad released the statement in response to circulating speculations on various social media platforms and online news portals regarding Taib’s health conditions.
“We want to emphasise that any viral or unverified news concerning Taib’s wellbeing on social media platforms, if not from Astana Negeri Sarawak, is completely false and baseless.
“We hope that with this press statement, all adverse reports and rumours regarding Abdul Taib will be put to rest,” said the statement.
