KUALA KUBU BHARU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants the role of the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to be strengthened to stop the spread of lies on social media.
Najib, who was speaking to Umno Hulu Selangor delegates here today, said the spread of lies on social media has become rampant and laws must be enforced to ensure that it does not continue.
"(The role of) MCMC and laws must be strengthened to ensure that lies and defamatory statements do not spread in social media.
"It is not that we want to restrict freedom, but we don't want absolute freedom until lies are perceived as the truth.
Najib cited an example where rumours had been spread during the 13th general election, which 40,000 Bangladesh nationals were brought into the country to vote.
"Do they know that it would take 1,000 Boeing-747 jumbo jets planes to fly in that many people?"
He urged Umno members to be active social media users and have strategies to tackle attacks towards the party and its leadership on social media.
"A big risk that we are facing today is the perception versus reality. Today, perception (of people towards Umno) is bigger than reality," he said in his speech.
Najib later officiated the Umno Hulu Selangor division delegates meeting. Also present was Selangor Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Noh Omar.