PUTRAJAYA – The government is taking action through a special secretariat on media and diplomatic relations to address claims made by the Sulu group, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
She said this was because the claimants had made various untrue statements, twisted the interpretation of history, and tarnished the country’s image.
“The Legal Affairs Division, Foreign Ministry, and Communications and Digital Ministry have taken action to launch Malaysia’s official website, www malaysia-sulucase.gov.my.
“This website provides correct and authentic facts, rebuts accusations by the claimants, and will enable Malaysians and the international community to follow the progress of this case transparently and truthfully,” she said when launching the website at Perdana Putra here today.
Also present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Azalina said the website would always be updated to include information and documents, with more to be added from time to time in line with the development of the case.
“It can be accessed in five languages, namely Malay, English, French, Spanish, and Tagalog, which will be implemented in stages to enable various parties and international media to follow and understand the case as truthfully presented by the government.
“I hope that the media and Malaysians in particular will follow this case carefully according to Malaysia’s official website, because the reporting and dissemination of untrue or inaccurate information will have a major and serious impact on the nation’s sovereignty and security,” she said.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said his ministry played a communication planning role in the development of the website using the resources available in the ministry.
“We assist with assessment, particularly in terms of the communications plan, and with support for main agencies (under our purview), namely Bernama and RTM. We will make sure we assist the overall narrative for the strategy the government has chosen,” he said.
On the other hand, Zambry said his ministry was responsible for planning and implementing measures to deal with the claims.
“The cabinet has decided for us to work together as a team, so our responsibility is to help Azalina to plan and execute,” he said.
Azalina said at the Dewan Rakyat session on February 21 that members of the special secretariat would include the Foreign Ministry, Communications and Digital Ministry, National Security Council, the Prime Minister’s Department’s research division, Sabah attorney-general, and local legal experts.
She added that she would chair the special secretariat with the solicitor-general II or his successor as the deputy chairman. – Bernama, April 12, 2023
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