The public must verify information on global conflicts to avoid panic, with experts advising reliance on official sources and prudent spending.
KUALA LUMPUR: The public must verify the authenticity of information related to global uncertainty arising from international conflicts to avoid panic among the community.
Community Communication Department (J-KOM) Strategic Adviser Datuk Dr Budiman Mohd Zohdi said the spread of inaccurate information, including claims involving diesel supply to the Philippines and panic buying of food items, had caused anxiety.
He urged the public to practise self-filtering and refer to credible sources before sharing any information, stating “we need to think first before sharing and ensure the source is reliable, for example Bernama as an agency that disseminates official government information”.
Relying on official sources would minimise misunderstandings and prevent unverified information from being exploited by irresponsible parties during crises, according to him.
Budiman also outlined three key approaches for the public to cope with the rising cost of living in the current situation.
He advised avoiding excessive spending by using only what is necessary based on family needs and financial capacity as the first approach.
The second approach is to practise prudent spending by purchasing only what is necessary, while the third is to adopt strategic thinking such as switching to a smaller car to manage expenses.
He noted that the government had taken various measures to address the global energy crisis, including maintaining the subsidised RON95 price under the Budi MADANI Programme at RM1.99 per litre.
Efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with Iran had also facilitated the safe return of a Malaysian vessel stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting a strategic approach in managing the issue.
