PETALING JAYA: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim today reminded the public against turning social media into a platform to humiliate others.
He said the freedom to comment comes with responsibility and called on social media users to engage with respect and courtesy, Bernama reported him as saying.
“Do not turn social media into a platform to insult, swear at, vilify or humiliate others.
“Differences of opinion are no reason for hostility. We may disagree, but we must express our views in respectful and courteous language.
“If you wish to criticise, do so constructively. If you wish to correct someone, do so with tact and consideration,” he said.
Sultan Ibrahim, who is also Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) chancellor, said this in response to the misuse of social media by certain quarters to incite others, spread hatred and sow division in society.
Sultan Ibrahim was speaking at the 105th UiTM convocation ceremony in Shah Alam today.
Also present was Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, who is also UiTM pro-chancellor.
King warns against AI-manipulated images
Sultan Ibrahim also called on the public not to misuse artificial intelligence to create fake images and videos with the intention of insulting or embarrassing others.
He said that behind every name and face subjected to hatred and insults was a person with a family, dignity and feelings.
“From a young age, we are taught to respect our elders, speak with decorum, and not look down on others on the basis of religion or race, because good manners are not merely about politeness but are the lifeblood of the nation’s dignity.
“However, amid today’s advances in digital technology and social media, some have forgotten their manners and feel free to insult, abuse, verbally attack and humiliate others.”
In this regard, Sultan Ibrahim urged the public not to readily believe or share any news without first verifying its authenticity.
“Do not let our haste to be the first to share unverified information turn us into people who spread slander and hatred.
“I want to see us become a mature society in our communication, free to express ourselves with courtesy, bold enough to share our views without insulting others, and firm in defending our convictions without sowing hatred.”
Sultan Ibrahim also consented to the UiTM campus in Jalan Othman, Petaling Jaya, being renamed the Tun Arshad Ayub Campus. Arshad, who died in 2022, was the first director of the Mara Institute of Technology (ITM), from 1967 to 1975.