Umno to continue with closed-door briefings on sensitive issues, says Ahmad Maslan

Datuk Ahmad Maslan says Umno will still have closed door meetings to explain sensitive issues. – The Malaysian Insider filepic, October 18, 2015.

Umno will continue giving closed-door explanations on sensitive issues to avoid twisting of facts by social media that are unethical.

Party information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said as the social media were the fastest and most influential avenue for disseminating information, Umno, too, was using the platform to explain issues to the people.

"Although the social media is faster and more accessible, there should also be face-to-face interaction or the message delivered will not be really understood," he said yesterday.

Ahmad said as Umno information chief representing the government, he felt responsible to provide continued explanations to reduce the "heat", especially that felt by the party grassroots.

"Now is the stage for us to involve the party members so that they can use their respective social media accounts to explain issues to the group they represent.

"Sometimes the questions raised are sensitive. These need to be explained so that people understand the real situation and not be confused when the information is twisted by certain quarters."

Ahmad said the explanations given included on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad issue, the RM2.6 billion political fund, cabinet reshuffle, GST, rising cost of living, ringgit slump, Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and the latest, on the toll hike.

The closed door dialogue, which took almost two hours, was attended by about 200 leaders of the four wings in Padang Besar Umno.

On the no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak proposed by the opposition, Ahmad said they would not succeed as Barisan Nasional, which held the majority in Parliament, would not support the motion. – Bernama