PAS President Datuk Seri Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang has urged Putrajaya yesterday for action against “media extremists and terrorists”, after visiting Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
Ustaz Hadi suggested for a regional news initiative to counter false news and slander, including alleged fabrication by foreign news organisations whom he said possess “hidden agenda”.
“[Ustaz Hadi] also brought to attention for social media issues be tackled, and for it to become every parties’ responsibility to verify the authenticity and fairness of information uploaded to the cyber world.
“Therefore, he also stresses how media terrorism and extremism is dangerous and able to undermine the harmony of the society and citizens in our country,” PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan said in a statement today.
State news agency Bernama had reported Hadi saying that Salleh’s ministry has a role in providing awareness in addition to regulating the media.
“We are in the era where there is not only extremists with weapons, but what is more worrying is the emergence of media extremists and we see today lies have been spread across the world,” Hadi was quoted saying.
Hadi had called on Salleh at his office in Angkasapuri, together with PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad and his political secretary Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
“This visit showcases PAS’ approach as a Constructive Opposition. Meeting and giving opinions, criticism and help to together take responsibility in solving the problems plaguing the country and the public,” Nasrudin added.
In May, Salleh had defended Hadi after the latter tabled a private member’s Bill on the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction)(Amendment) Bill 2016 in the Dewan Rakyat.
Salleh accused the media of publishing news which had yet to be verified so much so the information caused confusion among the people, giving Hadi’s Bill as an example.
