Malaysians urged to exercise responsible free speech

KUCHING: Malaysians must be more discerning in assessing information and exercise freedom of expression responsibly amid the rapid flow of information in the digital age.

Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said people should be fact-literate and exercise good judgement when evaluating information they encounter.

He said freedom of expression must also be accompanied by a sense of responsibility to ensure digital platforms bring people together rather than divide society.

“In this era of rapidly expanding information, people need to be fact-literate and discerning when assessing information.

“Freedom of expression must be accompanied by a sense of responsibility so that the digital space becomes a platform that unites rather than divides society,” he said in his Malaysia Day 2026 message.

Wan Junaidi also called for a culture of mature dialogue, particularly when dealing with differences of opinion.

He said differing views are a natural part of a democratic country and should not become a cause for hostility.

Instead, he said, differences should provide room for people to arrive at better solutions.

“We also need to foster a culture of mature dialogue. Differences of opinion are natural in a democratic country.

“However, differences should not lead to hostility. Instead, they should provide room for better solutions to emerge,” he said.