For The Last Time, The Selangor Crown Prince Did NOT Convert To Catholicism
Always fact-check before you jump into conclusions, people!
By Tang Ruxyn — 01 Oct 2015, 01:47 PM
Let’s get this straight - the “news” reporting that the Selangor crown prince converting to Catholicism is a hoax. Seriously, don’t let the name ‘World News Daily Report’ fool you, because it’s not even a real news site!
Using actual names, the article says “the only son and heir of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Tengku Amir Shah, has sent shock waves throughout the Muslim community worldwide” in reference to the latter converting to Catholicism.
A simple check in the 'About' column of World News Daily Report would lead to a disclaimer which states the site is a satire web publication, “which may or may not use real names, often in semi-real or mostly fictitious ways”.
“All news articles contained within worldnewsdailyreport.com are fiction, and presumably fake news,” the disclaimer read.
therakyatpost.com
The fake article that went viral was published online in July 2014. IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar had even warned netizens not to spread the false news when it became widely circulated last year.
However, it appeared that Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik, the former Chief Minister of Melaka, did not get the memo and is now in hot soup for spreading false information when he shared the story on his Facebook account. The account has since been deleted.
Former Malacca chief minister Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik has made his third public apology in four days over an outrageous claim that the Selangor Crown Prince had converted to the Catholic faith.
The latest apology from Rahim, now retired from politics, was posted on his Facebook page at about 6pm yesterday.
“With regards to my posts on Twitter and Facebook regarding DYTM Raja Muda Selangor converting to Catholism, I admit that it came from an unsubstantiated website. I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and distress it may have caused DYMM Sultan of Selangor, DYTM Raja Muda Selangor and the Selangor Palace,” he wrote.
Rahim’s embarrassing fiasco caused a stir due to his famous name. He had even claimed that a meeting with the Pope was in the works.
The Selangor Royal Council has also slammed Rahim for being so gullible and even considered his comments to be seditious
Despite Rahim's repeated apology to the palace for his faux pas, council secretary Hanafisah Jais said the former Malacca chief minister's irresponsible claim had elements of slander.
"After reading the statement issued by Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik, the Selangor royal council feels and summarises that the statement is seditious in nature and has elements of slander which can cause hatred among the Muslims towards the crown prince and the Sultan of Selangor," Hanafisah said in a statement today.
"The council regrets that Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik did not at all take any steps to verify the authenticity of any postings made by external portals before making his views."
"It is very easy for him to conduct checks to ensure the authenticity of the news if he is really responsible."
themalaysianinsider.com