Fake News Using My Name Bid To Sour Malaysia Singapore Ties Ismail

---

CORONAVIRUS | Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today claimed he has been made a victim of "fake news" which could strain ties between Malaysia and neighbouring Singapore
In noting a positive development where no new probe has been launched in two weeks, Ismail (above) revealed that an unidentified individual had dubbed his voice and made it sound as if only Singaporeans are unwelcomed here
"I myself was a victim of fake news... This is fake news shared about me, supposedly I did not welcome Singaporeans to our country
"Fact of the matter is our borders are still closed to all foreigners entering the country including from Singapore," said the senior minister in charge of the security cluster during a Covid-19 update press conference in Putrajaya
"Supposedly if Singaporeans just want to fill up petrol, wash their cars, it's better they don't come here
"This is highly malicious [...]," Ismail said, adding that he had reported the case to the police and MCMC for further actions
He noted that while Malaysians may be familiar with his real voice, Singaporeans would be less likely to identify that the voice has been dubbed by another person
Overall, Ismail said police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Council (MCMC) have to date opened 266 investigation papers linked to misinformation or disinformation surrounding Covid-19
On another matter, the minister said wedding industry players are welcomed to submit their proposed standard operating procedure to the National Security Council (NSC), towards facilitating permission for the organisation of larger wedding ceremonies
"If they want to submit their proposal, we welcome it
"They can submit their proposal to NSC so it can be discussed with the Health Ministry and stakeholders to be finalised," he said in responding to concerns from wedding industry players who reportedly suffered losses from bookings cancelled during the MCO period
Muslim couples were initially only allowed to get married in a ceremony conducted via online video conferencing before the restriction was eased under the previous conditional MCO to allow for a small number of people present. - Mkini

---