Be a high-class influencer

IT is time for the government to be assertive when recently there are too many influencers, including celebrities, who are too free to express themselves to the point of touching the public's sensitivity.

Some take the opportunity to create a platform on social media to attack the other party.

With a large number of followers reaching hundreds of thousands, influencers or celebrities should use social media to show a healthy lifestyle, practices that benefit others and invite the community to do beneficial activities.

A rather hot issue recently is the action of a celebrity who suggested that a foreign prostitution centre be established in this country, thus inviting Malaysians, especially Muslims, to feel perturbed.

Even though the celebrity had apologised, people were hurt by his insensitive statement.

In fact, not all influencers have the expertise to comment openly, let alone if it involves sensitive issues touching on matters of manners, culture, race or religion.

It may also be time for a special censorship committee to be placed under the Digital Ministry to monitor the content of live talk programs online.

If an individual intentionally made a sensitive statement, they should be fined or have their social media account blocked, not just an apology.

Until when do we want to normalise simply apologising for a blunder that was made and it is considered solved?

However, there is no denying that there are also influencers who use their popularity to invite Malaysians to do good.

For example, popular singer and host, Alif Satar who recently launched the #GengSubuhMacamJumaat campaign on the first day of 2024.

It was so well received that over 3,000 people joined the congregational morning prayer at Saidina Umar Al-Khattab Mosque in Bukit Damansara.

After the morning prayer, they jogged in droves.

They received pahala (rewards) as well as a healthier body.

Now, this is what we call 'influencer' and we want more high-class influencers like this.