Citing growing threats from irresponsible elements, inspector-general of police Ismail Omar said the police's information technology (IT) defences would be shored up to combat the spread of false information and slanders through social network and the internet.     

He said it was a daunting task for the police to deal with irresponsible elements who used social sites, such as Facebook and Twitter to smear the police's image.      

"I have instructed the Bukit Aman communication team and IT division to strengthen their capabilities to deal with these unhealthy activities," he said in an interview in KL.      

Hence, he said the police spent RM500 million in the first six months of last year to upgrade their capacity in dealing with the dissemination of false information, inaccurate or defamatory information that could tarnish the police's image.      

"We know that in the past when a suspect died in the police lockup, certain quarters would spread lies that he was killed by the police.     

"This is not true, if there are policemen who have acted beyond their powers, they will be charged in court. We had proven this before, we never hide the truth.      

"We need to improve our relationship with the media. The communications and public relations division, and the management should be able to rebut unfounded allegations," he added.      

Hisham: White paper possible

Meanwhile Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he was convinced the government would set up a special commission or issue a white paper on the intrusion by Sulu terrorists in Lahad Datu, Sabah. 

He said this was important and necessary to find out who was responsible for circulating false information via SMS and the Internet.

   

"Much information had been spread via SMS and the Internet and 98 percent of it is false.

   

"For example, there was information that four boats carrying 10 individuals in Tawau had launched an attack when they were actually fishermen. None of the information was true," he told reporters after launching the Gombak Barisan Nasional Youth election machinery in preparation for the 13th general election, Kuala Lumpur.

- Bernama