PH, BN often victims of defamation, says J-Kom DG
KUALA LUMPUR - Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) are two political coalitions that are often victims of defamation.
Community Communications Department (J-KOM) director-general Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff said the slander against the coalition parties was aimed at scaring the people so that they would not support the Unity Government.
He said there are approximately 20 million internet users in this country, of whom 62 per cent are social media users.
Hence, any issue spread online could reach almost 200,000 people within an hour, he added.
"The party that is always slandered is PH-BN with the intention to scare the people so they will not support the Unity Government formed on Nov 24, 2022.
"Can you imagine at this speed the impact it has on national security, the harmony of society, and the country?" he said on Facebook today.
Citing examples, he said among the issues were DAP being defamed for allegedly threatening the Malay Muslims position, wanting to turn Malaysia into a republican country, abolishing the constitutional monarchy, and Islam as the official religion.
The party was also slandered for allegedly banning the azan (call to prayer), stopping the recitation of the Quran, allowing children to have absolute rights in choosing their own religion after they reach 18 years old, abolising the subject of Islam in schools, dissolving Mara, sharia courts, and the Royal Malay military regiment, and supporting communists and LGBT people.
"On Feb 10, 2023, the Perak Pas commissioner apologised to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for accusing him of bringing the LGBT agenda and supporting the communist agenda.
"On June 25, 2023, Harakah Daily newspaper apologised for accusing Razali Rahman of being Lim Guang Eng's special adviser, and then on the third day of Zulhijjah, they apologised for accusing Anwar of appointing a DAP female leader as Felda chairman.
"Also on June 25, 2023, the Prime Minister who jokingly asked a Form Six female student for her contact number because she asked several questions about the economy also received backlash when he was only joking in front of thousands of attendees, not so he could WhatsApp the student's obscene photos, but since there was no issue, the joke made by Anwar became an issue," he said.
Dr Agus said if to make a list, Pas had thrown the most accusations; among them were on Jan 25, 2017, Hasan Ali against Khalid Samad RM200,000; Nov 10, 2017, PJ Pas Perak versus DS Nizar RM200,000; Jan 31, 2019, Abdul Hadi Awang against Sarawak report RM1.4 million; and on Feb 28, 2020, KP Pas Selangor against Teresa Kok RM80,000.
He added on July 9, 2020, Penang Pas against Eric Paulsen RM100,000; Feb 10, 2021, Masri Che Yusoff against Husam Musa RM155,000; August 30, 2022, Ulama representative versus KP Kelantan Amanah RM10,000 and April 3, 2023, Kedah Menteri Besar against Mahfuz Omar RM120,000.
He said, as an Islamic party, Pas should practise good morals instead of making up stories and slandering without any evidence.
"If you disagree, then criticise it. Don't campaign with elements of slander, racism, insults, and other elements that are against Islamic values.
"They should campaign to develop the country, boost the economy and the currency that has dropped badly, and brainstorm on how to attract foreign investors and lower the price of goods. That is better input because it touched on the interests of the people.
"After all, an ulama (religious scholar) has a duty to call on people to have faith, stay away from doing evil deeds, and do good deeds. Set an example to other races; show that you have good morals so that Islam is praised and respected," he said.
He said for the sake of future generations, political leaders should focus on building a better Malaysia by stopping the politics of defamation because it is a dirty and nasty political culture.
Dr Agus also stated that an ulama can set a good example by instilling Madani values that initiate discourse on ideas and policies and not making personal attacks or killing characters.
"If we want to progress, we need to have a spirit of unity and cooperation not only among Muslims but also among people of different races and religions.
"My advice to the young people is to reject political slanderers. Don't let yourself be used by them," he said.
