KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will hold discussions with the Election Commission (EC) and the Royal Malaysia Police to ensure that online campaign materials for the 17th Sabah State Election, especially on social media, comply with the set regulations.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the talks are crucial as much of the campaigning is expected to be conducted online via social media.
"One of the key points to be discussed is the immediate actions that the EC can take if any content is identified as violating the election campaign rules.
"I have also requested MCMC to engage with the police to provide briefings to all candidate representatives who will be monitoring during the campaign period, especially regarding the spread of false information or prohibited materials on social media,” he told reporters here on Thursday (Oct 16)..
Fahmi made these remarks after presenting aid from the Kasih@HAWANA Fund to Salamat Tambanan, a 66-year-old part-time journalist with Asia Times Pulse who lost his home due to a recent landslide in Kampung Sarapung, Penampang.
Also present at the aid presentation ceremony held at the Malaysian National News Agency’s (Bernama) Office here were the Ministry of Communications secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also the Project Director for Hawana 2025.
Earlier, after attending the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) stakeholder engagement session and the appointment of the Sabah NADI Advisory Panel here, Fahmi announced that a special committee between MCMC and EC will be established to enable enforcement throughout the Sabah election period.
"We will hold a meeting soon, hopefully next week, Insya-Allah,” he said.
The EC has set the polling for the state election on Nov 29, while the nomination is on Nov 15 and early voting is on Nov 25.
The state election is being called following the dissolution of the 16th State Legislative Assembly on Oct 6. - Bernama
