Teo: 3R issues may have unseen hand, expect more with by-election

 

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching expects race, religion, and royalty (3R) issues to be played up more in the run-up to the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election set for May 11.

She said the issues are familiar and could be deliberately played up by certain parties every time there is a by-election, state election, or general election to gain political advantage.

“We do not rule out that there is an unseen hand playing the issues on social media but believe the police will investigate and take appropriate measures to ensure the matter is under control.

“I hope the public has awareness on this and is not influenced by 3R issues played by the parties involved,” Sinar Harian reported Teo as saying at a press conference after visiting SJKC Sawit in Kulai, Johor yesterday.

The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election is being held following the death of incumbent Lee Kee Hiong. Nomination day is on April 27, while early voting is on May 7.

3R on social media

Meanwhile, Teo said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had taken action for the removal of 1,454 items regarding 3R issues from social media from Jan 1 to March 31.

She said the effort, done with the cooperation of social media platforms, involved 727 items related to hatred towards religion, 588 posts of a racial nature, and 139 posts directing hatred towards royal institutions.

“The highest 3R-related content was detected through Facebook amounting to 731, followed by TikTok (705); X (nine); YouTube (five), and Telegram (four). These statistics show an increase.

“This is a worrying trend. In total, in 2023, the MCMC received 1,633 reports of content regarding 3R. This involved 519 content of hatred towards religion, 960 content of a racial nature, and 154 content of hatred towards royal institutions,” she added.

She said regarding the meeting between her ministry, the MCMC, and social media conglomerate Meta Platforms Inc set for this Monday, the purpose was to discuss the issue of online security.

The discussion will also touch on 3R issues as well as disallowing those aged 13 and below from opening accounts on social media such as TikTok. - Mkini