Page 20 - JDPA Volume 02, Issue 02
P. 20

Journal of Defence & Policy Analysis             Volume 02, Issue 02, December 2023


           underlying socioeconomic disparities, fostering inclusivity, and promoting inter-
           ethnic  dialogue  and  understanding, governments can  mitigate  the  conditions
           conducive to the spread of divisive narratives and extremist ideologies. Addition-
           ally, fostering collaboration between government agencies, civil society organi-
           zations, and technology companies is crucial in developing holistic strategies to
           combat disinformation effectively.

           7. Disinformation and misinformation of COVID 19 pandemic


           During the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia grappled with a surge in disinforma-
           tion and misinformation, exacerbating public health challenges and complicat-
           ing efforts to curb the spread of the virus. False claims regarding health reme-
           dies, conspiracy theories about the origins of the virus, and misinformation about
           vaccines circulated  widely, undermining public  confidence  in  official  health
           guidance and protocols. In response, the Malaysian government implemented a
           multifaceted strategy to combat COVID-19 disinformation. This approach en-
           compassed targeted measures to counter fake news, the launch of official public
           health campaigns to disseminate accurate information, and collaboration with
           technology platforms to ensure the responsible sharing of information online.
           While engaging with social media companies and technology entities, the gov-
           ernment sought to mitigate the detrimental effects of misinformation on public
           health efforts and promote informed decision-making among the populace.


           8. Social media and racial tensions

           The intersection of social media and racial tensions has emerged as a significant
           concern in Malaysia, with instances of false information circulating online exac-
           erbating inter-ethnic and religious tensions, leading to heightened public disor-
           der. False narratives and inflammatory content propagated through social media
           platforms have fueled mistrust and division within society, perpetuating mis-
           conceptions and exacerbating existing grievances. Addressing this issue necessi-
           tates proactive measures to counter misinformation and promote digital literacy,
           fostering a more responsible  online  discourse that respects Malaysia’s diverse
           cultural and religious landscape.


           9. Sulu Sultanate claim on Sabah historical conflict

           The historical conflict surrounding the Sulu Sultanate’s claim on Sabah has been
           marred by disinformation, particularly concerning the complex historical and
           legal dimensions of the dispute. Misinformation regarding Sabah’s status as an Is-
           lamic state within Malaysia and the historical context of the conflict has contrib-
           uted to diplomatic tensions and misunderstandings. To address this issue, efforts
           to promote clarity and informed discourse on the complexities of the conflict are
           essential, emphasizing the importance of accurate historical narratives and legal
           interpretations to facilitate peaceful resolution and mutual understanding.


           Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka
                                                                                    10
   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25