Page 22 - JDPA Volume 02, Issue 02

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

12. (1MDB) Scandal / 1 Malaysia Development Berhad scandal

The 1MDB scandal, or 1 Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, stands as a sig-
nificant financial debacle marred by alleged misappropriation of funds from the
Malaysian government, implicating former Prime Minister Najib Razak. How-
ever, the ramifications of the scandal extended beyond financial irregularities
to encompass the dissemination of misleading information by the government,
particularly during elections, where race and religion were leveraged to sway
public opinion. This orchestrated disinformation had profound implications for
Malaysia’s multi-racial unity. Consequently, addressing such disinformation is
imperative to forestall adverse consequences and uphold the nation’s integrity.
The incidents emphasize the urgent need to confront disinformation in Malaysia
due to its pervasive impact on national security, public health, racial harmony,
and democratic processes. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, both the Ma-
laysian government and civil society have embarked on collaborative efforts to
combat misinformation. Proactive legislative measures have been introduced to
tackle false information, demonstrating a commitment to establishing robust le-
gal frameworks for addressing disinformation. Additionally, public awareness
campaigns play a pivotal role in educating the populace about the dangers of
disinformation and its potential repercussions. Furthermore, digital literacy ini-
tiatives have been implemented to empower individuals with the critical skills
needed to discern and evaluate information online responsibly. Embracing a
multi-stakeholder approach, engagement with Congress underscores a collabo-
rative commitment to mitigating the adverse effects of disinformation in Malay-
sia and safeguarding the nation’s integrity and well-being.

Disinformation managing initiatives in Malysia

1. Government led initiatives

Government initiatives play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges posed by
disinformation in today’s digital landscape. Robust institutions capable of effec-
tively managing cybersecurity are essential to safeguarding national interests
and protecting citizens from cyber threats. Moreover, governments must prior-
itize maintaining credibility and ensuring that their actions serve the public in-
terest rather than personal agendas. Managing social media through independent
bodies could be a viable solution to enhance the accuracy of government infor-
mation releases and mitigate the spread of misinformation. Collaboration with
service providers is crucial for ensuring public safety online, as these partner-
ships can facilitate the implementation of effective measures to counter disin-
formation. Additionally, the establishment of fact-checking portals and collab-
oration with social media platforms can help verify the accuracy of information
circulating online and combat the dissemination of false narratives. Legislative
frameworks, such as the Anti-Fake News Act, play a significant role in address-
ing disinformation, although their repeal may have implications for regulating

Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka
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