Zahid warns about spreading wrong information on Daish threats

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today warned that action would be taken against those who spread erroneous information on Daish threats in the country.

"Such information could stir anger and fear among the public. Only the Home Ministry, Royal Malaysian Police and enforcement agencies are authorised to issue statements on any threat," he said.

He said this in a live interview on Bernama News Channel at his official residence at Sri Satria here, where he held an Aidilfitri Open House.

Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar denied that police had issued a warning on bomb threats targeting certain locations around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, which went viral on social media.

The purported potential targets were The Curve and Publika, Bangsar, Bukit Bintang, Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur Tower, LRT stations, Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers, Mid Valley, Pavilion, Jalan Aloy and Petaling Street.

Met at his Aidilfitri Open House today, Khalid again reminded the print and online media not to publish and promote photographs of Daish militants particularly those wearing uniforms and armed with weapons.

"Don't publish. Don't show them as being a powerful force. This could inspire our children to join them. Don't give them glorification.

"That is what they want. They want us to talk about them everyday. It is a propaganda to frighten us."

While giving an assurance that Malaysians need not feel anxious, he added: "We are serious in dealing with them. We will do what should be done in accordance with our country's laws.

"We are dead serious hence why many of our officers and personnel have not been allowed to take leave, to safeguard security and peace," he said.

On the possibility that higher education students might be involved in Daish activities, he said police had good rapport with higher learning institutions and were closely monitoring students from other countries.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Armed Forces chief, General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin who was also at the function, was asked by reporters about MAF's approach to prevent its workforce from being influenced by Daish.

"We set up a task force a long time ago to monitor and handle this matter.

"We understand that the MAF are also ordinary people who could be influenced and exposed to Daish militants' propaganda particularly through social media," he said.