LETTER | The Association for Community and Dialogue (Acid) condemns the latest action by irresponsible individuals using social media medium Tik Tok, mimicking member of Parliament for Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran, claiming that the government was trying to kill Indians using vaccines.

Such kinds of mischief could have a significant repercussion since it has the element of deception, ethnicity, medical manipulation, with the usage of extreme language. This is harmful to inter-ethnic harmony in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.

It is obvious the motive of mimicking in this video is to deceive and create hatred towards a former minister by portraying him as a deceiver, in the current context of hostile Parliament.

Being part of the Ipoh Barat constituency, and following some of Kulasegaran’s activities, I have seen him encouraging the community to be vaccinated and in fact, his office has been used towards this end.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) should be proactive in cracking down on such criminal activities, what more in a nation where cyber troopers with concocted stories seem to be on the rise.

Sharing of offensive and menacing content is an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding one year or both.

Therefore, Acid urges the MCMC to act against such unscrupulous behaviours of individuals and groups who are using the current tense political climate and health crisis to manipulate voices in the social media, and in doing so they are creating hatred and disharmony in society.

RONALD BENJAMIN is Acid secretary.

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