Cautioning the public against the spread of viral poison-pen messages via WhatsApp

I have cautioned members of the public to be cautioned against the spread of viral poison-pen messages claiming that caretaker Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) assemblymen must step down if asked to vacate their seats ahead of the forthcoming 13th Sarawak state election (PRN13). Our media friends had seek my comments on the viral poison-pen messages that had be spread via WhatsApp messages on the purportedly list of senior GPS state assembly representatives who will be dropped in the PRM13 including myself on top of the list. 

As the GPS and PBB chief spokesperson, I have clarified that the coalition had not issued any official statements on the list of candidates that were asked to step down or on who would be contesting each constituency in the next state polls. The official announcement will be made by our right honourable Premier of Sarawak himself and that is how it will be done. 

Based on my own experience with GPS and its backbone party, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), such lists are never circulated in such a manner. We have never done that. That is why I question the authenticity of these messages. As the name implies, it is a poison-pen letter. When something is a poison-pen letter, it does not state or reveal who sent it. Therefore, we should not assume what is being circulated is true. 

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, these poison-pen letters were left at local suraus or posted directly to houses — physical letters without signatures or sender names. Those responsible for disseminating the messages were taking advantage of modern technology to mislead their targets. Now, with technology being far more sophisticated, social media is being used to either smear someone’s reputation, boost another person’s profile, or falsely parade individuals as confirmed candidates.

Those who have circulated the messages might be pursuing their own political agendas. It is possible they put these messages out themselves to gauge public’s response. They might even generate supportive comments to make it appear that the candidate they selected is popular, hoping to catch the attention of top party leadership.