BANGI, March 23 — Rumours and misinformation spread on the Internet can have tangible and serious consequences in the real world, according to panellists at a forum on social media today.

Minister in Prime Minister’s department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who was a panellist, cited the case of Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) in which some contributors withdrew funds following claims online that the fund was going bankrupt.

He said that among those who removed their savings with LTH were people who were just four years away from their turn to make the hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.

“Now that the allegation remained a mere rumour, these people lost their chance and will have to wait for another 82 years should they decide to put their monies back with LTH,” he said.

PAS Ulama Information chief Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, who was also among the speakers, said he initially believed the rumour when it was first began spreading online.

But he said he called LTH to check and that the fund denied such claims, and added that this showed the important of verifying information obtained online.

The forum, entitled ‘War of Perception: Challenges to Unity of the People’, also featured UKM deputy vice-chancellor of student affairs and alumni Professor Dr Noor Aziah Mohd Awal, Malay Consultative Council secretary Dr Hasan Mad and UKM student representatives council chairperson Muhammad Farhan Khairuddin.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, when officiating the talk, said rumours can cause panic and chaos.

He said the media today has the “power” to deceive the public into believing things that go viral, making it necessary for restrictions to be introduced.

Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, when closing the forum, criticised blogs, portals and social media for attempting to cause disunity among Malaysians.

“This matter should not be overlooked as if do, it can destroy the country,” he said.

Salleh yesterday said his ministry has sent proposals to the Attorney-General for legal amendments that would require online news practitioners as well as bloggers to register with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) before they are allowed to operate.

The changes would mean that online news portals and blogs would be regulated in the same manner as print media.