Rela plays a role in fending off lies against gov't - Salleh





KOTA BELUD, May 4 (Bernama) -- Members of the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) have a big responsibility to help the government fend off slanders spread by irresponsible parties through social media.

Communications and Multimedia Menteri Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said besides assisting in safeguarding public security and harmony, Rela now also had a great responsibility to help the government ensure the residents in their respective areas obtained information that is correct and verified.

"Rela members who are appointed by the government should be with the government to explain to the villagers to be cautious about information that is viral through the social media.

"(This is) Because lies and false information that are spread on social media can result in racial, religious and family disunity and when there is disunity, the country's security and harmony will also be affected," he said.

He was speaking at a gathering with Rela members in Kota Belud district here today.

Salleh said fake news or slanders was now the country's number one enemy because it could undermine the unity that had been enjoyed since independence.

"We have to safeguard the independence we have enjoyed all this while. We want the goals of independence to be felt by each and everyone in the country...the government that we have now has been striving to implement various developments nationwide.

But in enjoying our independence, we have to be careful because there are outside quarters envious of the successes that we have achieved and they try to find ways to ruin our country, especially by using fake news and slanders on social media, he said.

Salleh said the government was always working to provide the necessary facilities so that efforts to help in safeguarding the country's peace would be achieved effectively.

"As such, Rela needs to help and support the government efforts to defend the country's stability and peace and I'm proud that about 25,000 Rela members in Kota Belud continue to work with the government to help ensure harmony across the country, "he added.

-- BERNAMA