Fahmi Urges ‘Tabayyun’ Principle, Calls for Verification to Combat Fake News Spread
PUTRAJAYA, April 9 — Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has urged the public, particularly Muslims, to practise the principle of tabayyun, or verification, before sharing any form of information.
He stressed that in today’s fast-moving digital landscape, the unchecked spread of unverified content can have serious consequences for society.
Fahmi referenced a verse from Surah al-Hujurat, which highlights the importance of verifying information, especially when the source is uncertain or questionable.
He said the principle remains highly relevant in addressing the growing volume of misinformation circulating on social media platforms.
The call comes amid a surge in fake content, particularly related to fuel prices and the global energy crisis, which has sparked widespread public concern.
According to Fahmi, the Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (MCMC) has opened 42 investigation papers, with a significant portion involving misleading information on fuel costs.
So far, 22 individuals have been called in to provide statements, while several cases have been referred for further legal action.
To curb the spread of misinformation, MCMC has also submitted hundreds of takedown requests to social media platforms, resulting in the removal of a number of false content posts, with others still under review.
Beyond misinformation, Fahmi revealed that the government is considering additional security measures at petrol stations near border areas.
These include the possible deployment of police personnel to address fuel smuggling activities detected in high-risk locations.
In parallel, the government is exploring ways to enhance targeted subsidy distribution through systems such as MyKasih and integration with the MyKad platform.
The Cabinet has also taken note of concerns affecting fishermen, particularly the gap between subsidised fuel costs and their actual income.
Fahmi emphasised that public awareness and responsibility are crucial in tackling misinformation, urging individuals to verify facts before sharing content that could mislead others.
-wilayah.com.my
