BN Launches A New Website To Fight Against Fake News Ahead Of GE14
The portal was launched yesterday, 3 January, right before the BN Supreme Council meeting.
By Nandini Balakrishnan — 04 Jan 2018, 01:01 PM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched Barisan Nasional's official website, theRakyat yesterday, 3 January
The ruling coalition aims to use theRakyat as its main "weapon" to fight against all accusations, fake news, and provide information on the party's efforts for the people ahead of the 14th General Election.
According to New Straits Times (NST), Najib, who's also the BN chairman, said that the portal is important to counter the opposition's election tactics, stressing that they had used social media in the previous election to "attack Barisan Nasional (BN) and spread lies".
"theRakyat is key in determining BN's success in the coming general election. The people can find out and decide for themselves if such fake news is real or not. The opposition has done it before, and we believe they will do so again in the coming election.
"The portal marks the first BN initiative for 2018. It will be legitimate, fast, and accurate. Above all else, it will be authoritative," said Najib, when speaking at the launch of the portal at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) last night, as reported by Free Malaysia Today.
The interactive portal will provide information and updates on BN's initiatives like BR1M, Tekun, and PR1MA, feature interviews with top level BN leaders under the 'Bicara 4 Mata' programme, and analysis on current issues
Bicara 4 Mata will also be aired on RTM (9.30pm) and TV3 (11pm) on Wednesdays, every fortnight and the programme will feature in-depth discussions on pressing local issues.
The first episode aired last night and it featured Najib. He spoke about subsidies, rising living costs, BR1M, and other government schemes to ease the financial burdens of Malaysians.
Users will also find BN's e-rakyat bulletin in six languages - Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, Tamil, Iban, and Kadazan Dusun - on theRakyat
An official statement released on the portal stressed that it will be "the voice and catalyst for BN's aspirations to maintain its position as this country's ruling party."
The portal can also be used to provide feedback and views on social issues.