Ahmad Shabery urges public not to spread rumours on Ebola

The Communication and Multimedia Ministry has urged the public against disseminating false news via social media on the Ebola disease.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said doing so would fan fear among the people. "It is hoped that nobody will be prompted to spread rumours because it can create fear among others over a matter which is baseless," he said.

According to Shabery Cheek, the public must exercise care in assimilating information spread on the social media because not all were true.

He said this when asked to comment on the matter after attending a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Astro Productions Sdn Bhd and Iskandar Malaysia Studios Sdn Bhd at the Iskandar Malaysia Pinewood Studio here today.

Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam said the ministry would lodge a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to investigate and take action on individuals who deliberately spread rumours on the existence of the Ebola virus in the country.

"Whatever that emerges from the social media must be verified first," said Ahmad Shabery.

On the shooting of the epic series Marco Polo by The Weinstein Company at the Iskandar Malaysia Pinewood Studio, he said, it was proof of the success of the government policy to turn Malaysia into a creative industry hub.

He said more companies would come to shoot their films in this country. According to Shabery Cheek, the success which instilled confidence in Malaysia among the production companies in the world, was not only due to the giving of incentives to foreign firms but also because of correct policies of the government and the infrastructure and local talents available.