KUALA LUMPUR: Umno leaders have been warned of the Opposition's 'trump card' of spreading false information during the upcoming general elections.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the opposition had set two traps in the last two general elections.
"We fell for their trap twice in the last two general elections when they threw accusations against Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN). This time we must be prepared with pre-emptive measures to answer the allegations," he said.
Citing the unfounded allegations of 40,000 Bangladeshis being flown in specifically to vote for BN in the last GE, Zahid said the party was caught off guard and was not prepared to counter it.
Zahid also urged Umno leaders to intensify efforts to get people to vote and increase the turnout.
"Yes, we work hard during the campaign, but the information and liaison officers must play their role in getting people to come out (on polling day).
"At least five per cent of Umno members who are registered voters did not cast their votes. Overall, Umno members only comprise 28 per cent of Malaysians who are registered voters (about 13 million people)," he said.
Zahid was speaking at the launch of the party's Information and Media Convention held in conjunction with the Umno general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre.
Zahid also launched a book titled "Perjuangan4All", a compilation of public feedback gathered during dialogues organised by the party's information committee.
He also urged Umno leaders and members to make use of social media platforms to address viral fake news while maintaining the conventional face-to-face approach with voters.
Also present were Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa and Wanita Umno informatiom chief Datuk Rosni Zahari.