Rohani, flanked by Nancy and Fadillah, greets a member of the press. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Sarawakians are told not to instigate hate among social media users as what happened at Low Yat Plaza in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri said of the thousands of postings on social media during the night of the incident on July 12, the majority were not pleasing to the eyes and ears.
“I have also seen postings from Sarawakians which show that the local people do believe what is posted online,” she said at the breaking of fast with the media here on Monday.
According to her, the incident had been blown out of proportion by irresponsible individuals to incite hatred among the people even though everyone understood that the incident started due to a minor issue.
“We can see what the social media, if it is abused, can do to incite the people. I just hope that Sarawakians understand this and that they are not playing a part,” said Nancy, who is also Batang Sadong MP.
On another note, she said the government did not want to restrict the use of social media and freedom of speech “but when we see this incident happening at Low Yat Plaza, it makes us scared to even use the social media.”
Freedom of speech, she said, should not be abused by social media users and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which were alleged to be present at the Low Yat Plaza riot.
Malaysia had sufficient laws to deal with such events, she added.
“I hope such incident would not happen again as it is not going to help anyone.”
The breaking of the fast was jointly organised by Minister of Works Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusuf and Minister of Woman, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Karim and Nancy.
They presented RM15,000 to Kuching Division Journalists Association and RM10,000 to Sarawak Press Photographers Association.
The three ministers also announced their respective Hari Raya open house: Nancy at the old DUN complex from 10am to 5pm on July 25; Rohani at Dewan Baitulmal on the fourth day of Hari Raya from 10am to 5pm; and Fadillah at his residence in Petra Jaya on the third day from 11am to 5pm.