KUCHING: Social media posts by youths need to be stringently monitored to maintain social harmony, said Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz (GPS Kalaka).
“Globalisation has hugely impacted our youths. A study found that 70 per cent of them are hardcore digital media users.
“Also, this digital platform has had a great impact on the development of their self-image,” he said yesterday in support of a motion of appreciation for the Head of State Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud’s speech yesterday.
“We should not overlook the negative effects that accompany it as exposure to too much information can have bad effects on youths.
“The freedom of speech, expressing views and criticisms are often said to be an individual’s right in a democratic country. However, these rights are owned by all people.”
He said the freedom of posting on Facebook and WhatsApp should be stringently monitored so that harmony was maintained.
“Sarawakians are well-known for their unity but when it comes to social media, there are a lot of posts touching on sensitive issues.
“We fear that if left unchecked, it will cause disunity that is very detrimental to all parties while some are doing it on purpose just to brag and incite anger,” he said.
“Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998, which gives social media and Internet enforcement power to the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission, should be streamlined and if necessary, amended to prevent any abuse.
