Call For M'sian Students Abroad To Always Check, Verify Authenticity Of Information

From Azman Ujang ISTANBUL, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Deputy Communication and Multimedia Minister Jailani Johari wants Malaysian students abroad to always check with the relevant authorities the authenticity of any news or information about Malaysia, especially those disseminated through social media. He said being in a foreign land and exposed to all kinds of information, these students should be extra cautious over the authenticity of the content of those news and information as the role played by social media had become more prominent than the traditional media. Besides, they must also be on alert and remain vigilant of the propaganda spread by militant groups, such as Daesh, he said at a dinner with Malaysian students in Turkey at the Nur Muhammad restaurant, a Malaysian restaurant, here Wednesday night. A total of 40 Malaysian students attended the dinner. Also present were Malaysian Ambassador to Turkey, Abdul Razak Abdul Wahab, and officials from government agencies like Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade). At the event, Jailani also announced a donation of US$4,818 (RM20,000) to the Malaysian Students Association in Turkey, which would be channeled through the Special Affairs Department, to help the association in carrying out its activities. There are a total of 280 Malaysian students, mostly self-sponsored, pursuing their studies in Turkey where Turkish and English are the mediums of instructions. Meanwhile, Malaysian Students Association in Turkey president Muhammad Ahmad Zahid, in his speech, appealed to the Higher Education Ministry to expedite the recognition process of degrees from universities in Turkey. "I was told that the delay is due to lack of financial allocation. We hope that this issue will be given priority because it is very important for the future of students, particularly in finding jobs after graduation," he added. Jailani is leading the Malaysian delegation to the ongoing 26th Universal Postal Union (UPU) Congress in Istanbul. UPU is the United Nations' agency responsible for the development and cooperation of the international postal services. -- BERNAMA