Sarawak media practitioners have been urged to play an active role in combating the negative perception of the government especially when general election is just around the corner.

NONE Deputy Minister of Information Communications and Culture Joseph Salang Gandum said in a changing political landscape, the "war of perception" is important as the people's minds have been 'poisoned' by false information via the online media.

"The perception needs clarification and correction because if not addressed adequately, the truth is assumed to be false and false is assumed to be the truth," he said at the Sarawak Media Dialogue 2012 organised by the ministry and Sarawak Information Department in Kuching today.

Also present were Information Ministry deputy secretary-general Dr Rothiah Omar, Sarawak Police Commissioner Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani and Sarawak Information Department director Resat Salleh.

Irresponsible reports

Salang said misleading and irresponsible reports and articles had 'poisoned' the minds and perception of a segment of society who are 'willing to insult the bearer of goods and praise the liars'.

"Media partners must answer the allegations and issues raised by the opposition as choosing to keep silence will only destroy this nation which we built together.

"Don't destroy the nation's future by believing the empty promises of the opposition that they can become a better government."

Describing Budget 2013 announced by Prime Minister Najib Razak as a “caring budget”, he said the government managed to fulfill its  promises to safeguard the interest and welfare of people from all walks of life.

- Bernama