adminKUALA LUMPUR: The public needs to ensure that every information they receive regarding global uncertainty following international conflicts is authentic to avoid panic among the public.
Strategic Advisor to the Community Communications Department (J-KOM), Datuk Budiman Mohd Zohdi, said the spread of inaccurate information, including the recent claims of diesel supplies to the Philippines and panic buying of food supplies such as rice, was causing anxiety among the people.
“We must have self-censorship. That’s why I always remind my friends that if you want to share, think first and we have (sources of) information that are beyond doubt in terms of credibility, for example Bernama as an agency that issues official information from the government and news reports.”
“If everyone takes information from official sources, this will certainly minimise the risk of misunderstanding the information they receive,” he said when he was a guest on Bernama Radio’s Fokus 30 programme here today.
Budiman said the public is advised not to spread false information that creates a bad perception by irresponsible parties who are taking advantage of the people’s hardships during a crisis that is putting pressure on the domestic economy.
Meanwhile, he said the people needed to take into account three thrusts to change their lifestyle by taking a simple and frugal approach in facing the current situation which saw increasing spending costs.
“First, don’t be extravagant, use what you need, but it depends on the family and in the past, you might drink branded coffee every day, but with this reminder method, you won’t have to stop immediately, but you might have to reduce it.”
“Second, the method is to be frugal by buying necessary items and according to needs, and third is strategic thinking to switch to a smaller car because we have to remember that if we drive a car with diesel power, our expenses may increase with today’s atmosphere,” he said.
He said the government had tried to take the best steps in facing the global energy crisis, including maintaining the subsidized price of RON95 under the Budi MADANI (BUDI95) Program at RM1.99 per liter, which could help reduce the burden on the people.
He said the government’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations with the Iranian government had also made it easier for Malaysian ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz to continue their journey home, thus addressing the issue strategically.
— BERNAMA
