17 face probe for spreading disinformation on global energy crisis

 Among them are those who edited pictures and infographics displaying false information to give the impression that the content originated from local news agencies.

Deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching at a youth creativity workshop in Kulai today. (Teo Nie Ching’s office pic)

KULAI:

 Seventeen people are under investigation by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission on suspicion of spreading disinformation on social media about the global energy crisis.

Among the 17 are those who edited pictures and infographics displaying false information to give the impression that the content originated from local news agencies, deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching said.

“There are those who edited pictures from TV3 or Astro and stated that the price of petrol and electricity will rise, but the total and the information in the pictures are all wrong,” she said at a youth creativity workshop here today.

She said the global energy crisis not only had an impact on Malaysia but also the entire world with some countries implementing work from home measures for civil servants.

“There are countries where petrol stations are closed because petrol has run out. This is a challenge that Malaysia isn’t facing alone, but affects the whole world.”

Teo said while Malaysia has its own oil resources, they are insufficient to meet local demand and 38% of the country’s oil needs come from crude oil that passess through the Strait of Hormuz.

She expressed hope that the public, especially the youth, would play their role in disseminating accurate information by creating content that educates the public.

Deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister had previously reminded all parties against sharing unverified information that could confuse the public.

He stressed that the government was committed to continue channelling the latest information transparently about the current situation on the global energy price and supply crisis to ensure the public had a clear picture without causing unnecessary concern. - FMT