Smartphones, laptops can be weapons of war in GE14
KENINGAU: Umno information technology (IT) and social media bureau chairman Datuk Ahmad Maslan has asked the Umno Keningau and Pensiangan bureau heads to create their own IT bureau and social media at the party branches in their respective divisions.
Ahmad said the importance of establishing this bureau in all Umno branches across the country is to counter the spread of slander through the social media.
According to him, this move would allow the IT bureau committee to respond to any matters spread by others through the social media. In addition, he said the IT bureau will also be responsible for distributing accurate information fast and wide.
“For example, in Malaysia the population is 32 million but the number of smartphone owners is 43 million. In other words, use of smartphones and laptops can be a weapon of war (on information) in the 14th general election (GE14),” he said at a press conference after the war-cry IT bureau briefing held at the district council meeting room here yesterday.
He said these are some of the decisions made during his series of visits to Umno divisions across the country.
Ahmad, who is also the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, said the Umno information structure at the branch level has existed for a long time and is currently establishing IT bureau heads at every branch in all Umno divisions at the central and State levels,” he said.
He said there are 191 Umno divisions across the country with an IT bureau at all branches located in their respective divisions.
According to him, the central bureau of IT and social media committee has successfully created three structures, namely at the central, state and divisional levels since 2016.
He said that there are already divisions that have IT bureau at branch level but not yet at all 191 divisions across the country.
He directed Umno IT bureau heads at the division level to create this bureau at the Umno branches in their respective divisions.
At the same time, Ahmad proposed that all bureaus seek ways to get income through online business.
“I am asking all IT bureau machinery to engage in this exercise because they are interested in IT,” he said, adding that because they are interested in IT, the next step to engage would be online business.
Some 100 Umno leaders from both divisions, Keningau and Pensiangan including committee members, Women, Youth and Puteri wings attended the briefing.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry cum Umno Keningau chief, Datuk Haji Sairin Karno, Umno Keningau secretary Hadimin Jamburi, Umno Keningau Youth chief Nik Nazri Nik Zawawi and Umno Keningau Puteri chief Hajah Salbiah Suhaideh
Ahmad and his entourage held the same briefing with Umno Tenom and Sipitang leaders yesterday evening and on Wednesday, the entourage will meet Umno Beaufort division leaders.