State elections: Social media platforms to be closely monitored for hate speech, says Teo

KUALA LUMPUR: Social media platforms will be monitored closely by the authorities for a rise in hate speech and fake news in conjunction with the coming state elections, says Teo Nie Ching.

"We (expect to) see a lot of hate speech and fake news during the coming state elections.

"It will increase as we get close to the polls and we are anticipating this," the Communications and Digital Deputy Minister said when met at the sidelines of the Unity Government national convention on Sunday (May 14).

She said that a special task force was set up in December for the specific purpose of clamping down on hate speech and fake news.

The Selangor state assembly is set to automatically dissolve on June 26 and elections must be held within 60 days, by Aug 26.

Although the dissolution dates of the five other state assemblies differ, Pakatan Harapan and its allies and the Perikatan Nasional opposition had agreed to simultaneous state polls.

The Kelantan state assembly will automatically dissolve on June 28, Terengganu on July 1, Negri Sembilan on July 2, Kedah on July 4 and Penang on Aug 2.

Teo said her ministry would work closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police to take action against those promoting hate speech and fake news.

"We will also be liaising with the respective social media platform providers on the matter," she said.

Teo advised the public to verify news which they source from social media platforms with fact checkers such as "Sebenarnya.my" and "MyCheck Malaysia.my".

She also said those who were victims of fake news should issue a statement saying otherwise.

Meanwhile, Teo said media centres would be set up in all six states which were expected to hold their respective polls.

She said this would facilitate media coverage during the elections.

She added that international media representatives wishing to cover the elections must get a media pass from the Information Department.