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We are constantly being reminded and warned that information disseminated through the social media is not always accurate or truthful and I agree with that. But in Malaysia today, news and information generated through the social media have taken a special significance.

Whether we like it or not, social media is now the source of information, exchange of information, communication, corroboration and confirmation of information. Why have many chosen to rely on social media despite the risk of inaccuracy and falsehood?

I think there are reasons for this.

First, most Malaysians do not know what is truth, half-truth and lies any more. How many times have we been fed with so-called official information that was either inaccurate or outright lies? Can we ever blame ourselves from becoming more cynical and sceptical on everything that was disseminated?

If Sarawak Report is not to be trusted, can we ever rely on mainstream newspapers? If news portals and social media are not to be relied on, can we depend on statements, TV stations and official portals of ministries and agencies? Which is truth and which is falsehood and fabrication?

Like the proverbial story of the boy who cried wolf, Malaysians have been fed with lies one time too many. I think many Malaysians today have difficulties even to believe the truth.

This is the problem of government leaders and heads of agencies losing credibility and integrity.  Once the confidence is gone, managing the country becomes doubly hard. For every issue at hand, it is not just solving it; it is also to overcome the constant negative perception and disbelief among the citizens. This is the reality we must face today; ignoring it or pretending it does not exist is not going to help.

Hence, when there was a fire at Bukit Aman, which could be ‘random’, but rumours and speculations began to circulate otherwise. It is really not difficult to rationalise why there are rampant rumours and speculations on the cause of the fire given the many high-profile cases still unresolved.

Then we have the ‘charge sheets’ against the current PM being circulated around. If only the ‘dismissal’ or the ‘retirement’ or the ‘illness’ of the former attorney-general could be properly and rationally explained, I am sure it will help many of us to believe or not to believe on the charge sheets.   

The Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor is also subjected to various speculations lately - from being investigated by the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to suffering from a heart attack. Again, many unresolved issues that are clearly within the purview of BNM could be the main cause of these rumours.

Now, there is a speculation that the dismissed deputy prime minister (DPM) will be arrested soon for the leaked video on 1MDB and PM’s personal bank account. Fair enough, the new DPM has denied that the former DPM will be arrested. But looking at jittery manner the government reacted to any party touching on 1MDB, can we ever blame the people for believing the story?

Truth is a valuable commodity that money, power and public relation can’t buy. The authorities can’t ask people not to believe the social media if they can’t provide us the truth.

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