PUTRAJAYA: The government will not compromise with any party which stirs up sensitive issues by spreading information which could jeopardise racial and religious harmony, says Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He stressed that while the government did not curb the people’s right to voice their opinions, information that is shared must be authentic so that false news was not spread to create lies and hatred among the people.
“There is a thin line between freedom of speech and words that incite hatred and violence,” he said in his speech at the monthly gathering of the Home Ministry (KDN) here yesterday.
He said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) must be more strict in taking action against anyone who tries to stir up the situation in the country.
“The action that is taken must be fair, regardless of who the individual is or what is the background of the person who plays up sensitive issues to create chaos in the country,” he said, adding that he had instructed the PDRM not to compromise in the matter.
Muhyiddin said the government, specifically the KDN, was faced with various issues, especially involving religion, race and the Royal Institution (3R) which have been sensationalised to make it seem that the new government was not protecting these three aspects.
“The issue gets more heated when government action is questioned as though it has failed in its functions.
“I believe our role, especially of KDN staff, is very important not just as the enforcement body but also in making the people understand the need not to spread untrue information,” he said.
On the increased use of the social media among the public from 86.3 per cent in 2017 to 96.5 per cent in 2018, Muhyiddin said users should be more ethical and responsible not to misuse the platform to manipulate information, spread false news and lies which would only confuse the people.
On the ministry, Muhyiddin said KDN had attained a five-star rating in financial management with a score of 94.84 per cent in 2018 compared to 88.38 per cent in 2017.
On the mid-year Ministerial Performance Indicator 2019, he said as of June 30, the KDN achieved 90.80 per cent.
“Of the 27 activities which had been set, 20 attained more than 80 per cent and five were between 50 and 70 per cent, while two would only be assessed at the end of the year,” he said.
Muhyiddin said based on previous achievements, he believed all the key performance indicators for this year could be achieved as targeted. — Bernama