PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has issued a stern warning against exploiting the deaths of Zara Qairina Mahathir and Wan Ahmad Faris Wan Abdul Rahman for personal or political gain, describing such actions as “unacceptable”.
Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly today, Anwar highlighted the rapid spread of misinformation and speculation on social media following the fatalities which he said has unnecessarily heightened public anxiety.
Acknowledging the difficulty in fully regulating online platforms, the Prime Minister cited a recent incident in which an individual falsely claiming to be a pathologist disseminated misleading information.
“Social media, particularly in emotionally charged situations, can amplify the spread of misinformation.
“I have addressed Parliament to warn against exploiting tragedies for personal gain (membina mahligai di pusara),“ he added.
Anwar criticised using such lies as a “political weapon”, emphasising that it is wrong to “exploit someone’s death for politics or mislead the public”.
MORE TO COME
