Abdullah: slander and lies spread in cyberspace

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Monday labelled as treachery the deliberate attempts to create perceptions of uneasiness and distrust in the people via the Internet and the short messaging service (SMS) with blatant disregard for the principles of the Rukunegara (National Principles).

The prime minister said these attempts, undertaken through Internet blogs, the YouTube and SMS, had blemished the principles of the Rukunegara such as Loyalty to King and Country, Upholding the Constitution, the Rule of Law, and Good Behaviour and Morality.

"All the slander and lies spread through the blogs and YouTube do not contribute to ease and confidence in the people," he said at the monthly gathering of the Prime Minister's Department, here.

"There is no more regard for statements of truth in law. Little attention is given to (one's) demeanour in life. The sovereignty of the Rulers is turned into an issue," he said.

Abdullah said not all of the people believed in the negative perceptions which were attempted to be created but it was portrayed that more people had become trapped in that situation.

"Conduct attributed to the truth is not appreciated. What is appreciated is the perception, and along with it the lies.

"Perception negates the truth. The truth is no longer talked about. The important thing is the perception," he said.

Abdullah said perceptions had influenced the attitudes and options of some people in the making of decisions, including those related to investment and
business.

He said this must be rectified but, unfortunately, it had become a subject which the people were most interested in, so much so that it had become word of mouth and they resorted to exaggeration.

"The people must be appeased so as not to have any fear of a possible shortage of food. They must be pacified so as not to have any worry over their own safety and that of their families," he said.

Abdullah said the nation had just gone through the democratic process (March 8 general election) and the government had been given the mandate to administer the country.

The government, he said, hoped to be able to fulfill the aspirations of the people.

He said the government had adopted and would take measures to reduce the financial burden of the people arising from the increase in fuel prices which had caused them some restlessness.

"The people must have confidence in our efforts," he said. The prime minister called on the enforcement authorities to be firm in maintaining peace and security in the country.

"Let's stop doing what is undesirable. The people must exercise a high sense of responsibility. Our priority must be to maintain peace," he said.