Don’t play with fire, Zahid warns news portals

(Bernama) – Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi warned social media users and news portals today not to play with fire when writing on issues concerning national security.

He said many issues on security had been politicised, especially those related to radicalisation, extremism and terrorism.

“I have noticed that there are efforts by certain quarters especially social media players who are out to incite racial tension.

“It’s not that I want to give a warning but to remind everyone not to play with fire because you will get burnt … I ask that social media users follow the mainstream media which has journalistic ethics and a better writing style.

“The actions taken by the home ministry specifically the police with the cooperation of the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia will be felt by all the people that we are serious about tackling extremism and terrorism,” he said when closing the Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security Conference here today.

He also said so far 131 individuals had been arrested for being directly or indirectly involved in extremist or terrorism-related activities.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia had to adopt initiatives to counter terrorism that included counter radicalisation and strategies that focused on soft approaches.

“These soft approaches should include engagement through media, cultural, educational and religious forums with the aim of highlighting the realities of life under the Islamic State (IS).

“This will serve to dissuade individuals from internalising extremist messages advocated by extremist groups like the IS,” he said.

He said the alarming rate on the spread of extremism and radical ideologies, if unchecked, might destroy the very foundation of Malaysia.

“Militant ideologies and radicalism must be removed from our society. We owe this responsibility to our next and future generations and Malaysia will continuously go against any acts of extremism and militancy,” he said.