SHAH ALAM, Jan 13 — The newly appointed National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) panel of advisers must channel accurate, coherent information to the people, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said explanations must be provided continuously, and repeatedly if need be, to prevent misunderstanding.
“For example, the government undertook the subsidy reallocation so aid reaches target groups, but sometimes the true information doesn’t reach (the people) and it creates misunderstandings.
“This is the panel of advisers’ role; there must be (a mature approach) by listening first and explaining after, so information reaches the people, but you must accept that explanations may have to be given repeatedly.
“That’s why you must understand the context, so explanations provided don’t cause misunderstandings,” he said at a letters of appointment handover ceremony for NADI’s new Selangor and Kuala Lumpur advisory panel here today.
Earlier, Amirudin presented letters of appointment to 33 advisory panel members during the ceremony witnessed by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Also present was state executive councillor for Islam and innovation Dr Fahmi Ngah.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the advisory panel must be front-line information recipients on any issue so it can provide clear, detailed explanations to the people.
“(The advisers) must also work and move with state Information Departments on all issues as this centre (NADI) isn’t just for the internet, but also for activities like sewing and cooking.
“The duty to disseminate information isn’t limited to any one ministry; this effort must be mobilised together so we can fight slander and fake news at the root,” he added.
In a separate development, Fahmi said the temporary block on X’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok is still in force.
“Grok violated the Communications and Multimedia Act (1998). So far, the feedback received has been insufficient, that’s why the temporary block is still in effect. We will consider legal action.
“A meeting with the new online safety committee will be held to study several matters (towards) a safer internet,” Fahmi said.
