YONG PENG: Candidates should stay focused on a clean and healthy campaign despite the risk of rumours, fabricated allegations and AI-generated videos surfacing during the Johor election, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He said such tactics could mislead voters and urged candidates to respond with facts while keeping the focus on what they could deliver if elected.
“Whether it is a straight fight or a multi-cornered contest, we will face this election calmly. It will not be an easy battle.
“Rumours and unexpected tactics will emerge, so our candidates must work hard to win every single vote,” he told reporters after accompanying MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon at the nomination centre for the Yong Peng state seat.
Dr Wee said candidates should expect fabricated allegations, misleading narratives and manipulated AI-generated content during the campaign.
He said AI-generated videos posed an emerging challenge as many people could not tell the difference between manipulated and genuine content.
“They may use AI videos to make things look ugly. This is something that is very unbecoming.
“Once something that is untrue is created, people cannot differentiate whether it is AI-generated or genuine.
“They simply form a perception, and I think that is very dangerous,” he said.
Dr Wee urged the government to address the issue, saying false content could spread rapidly before those targeted had a chance to respond.
He called on candidates who become targets of misinformation to respond promptly but remain focused on presenting their plans to voters.
“If you need to explain, then explain. If you need to refute, then refute. But say the right thing and tell voters what you will do if elected.
“People are more concerned about what you can do for them than about making your opponents look ugly.
“We must have a healthy campaign. This is a mature democracy,” he said.
Dr Wee said he was encouraged by the turnout of local supporters from various ethnic communities who came voluntarily to back Ling.
“Those who came are local Malays, Chinese and Indians whom I know well. They came on their own to show their support for Tian Soon, and that is very meaningful,” he said.
Dr Wee said Ling’s grassroots service over the past four years had earned him support across communities, describing him as a hardworking assemblyman who regularly attended programmes in Malay, Chinese and Indian communities.
