Don't feed information to the enemy - Police

The police are reminding the public to be mindful of what kind of information they spread, either online or offline, as it could be “used by the enemy”.

A Bukit Aman spokesperson gave advice on public discussions, especially online, on the situation currently unfolding in Sabah as the security forces face off with the self-claimed Sulu Sultanate intruders.

“Movements of the police or army should be kept secret. Don’t take photos or tweet about it. We hope everyone can cooperate,” the spokesperson said.

He said that people should also use their discretion and refrain from spreading unverified information.

“Don’t spread rumours and speculation. It can cause panic and people to be emotional. We don’t want to burden our security officers by having them dismiss and explain every single rumour.”

At this critical juncture, he said, Malaysians should give the country’s defence their prayers and moral support.

Important information that can help the men should be channelled to the authorities.

Meanwhile, former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, said that any communication at this point of time should be done with thought.

“Take precautions about what you say and who you say it to. In this new age of technology and computers, what you broadcast in the social media probably will be used by them or their sympathisers,” said Musa, who currently lectures at the Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

Defence analyst Dzirhan Mahadzir said that everything boils down to common sense.

“You can talk among yourselves or share it but when you broadcast it and this applies to the media too, good judgement must be used.”

“For example, don’t take photos of the faces of our commandos, as they need to go undercover,” Dzirhan, who works Malaysian correspondent for Jane's Defence Weekly, said.

He also said that militants have been known to make use of social media, citing examples where Talibans would claim to have shot down helicopters, when a crash was due to technical problems.

However, Dzirhan stressed that the government should not blame the public for wanting to know what’s happening, and should ensure a constant flow of accurate information.

“At the end of the day people are people. It does not help if the government isn't being transparent,” he said.