BY ALEXANDRA LORNA & JACINTHA JOLENE
SRI AMAN: The community is encouraged to fully utilise social media platforms to market local products and expand business networks, including promoting ikan bulu from Lingga, Sri Aman, to wider markets.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said digital platforms should be used constructively to generate income and strengthen economic participation among rural producers, particularly in marketing local food products online.
He said the rise of digital technology and cashless systems has transformed the economy, especially in trade, payments and market access.
“We must also promote products such as ikan bulu. The product can be attractively packaged, photographed, uploaded to TikTok and Facebook, and marketed by building networks with buyers overseas to export it. Only then, people will realise that ikan bulu comes from places like Lingga and Sri Aman,” he said.
He said this during the closing ceremony of Lingga State Constituency Economic Forum 2026 at the Sri Aman Civic Centre here, today (Apr 12).
He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the adoption of digital tools, including cashless payments and online communication platforms, which enabled economic activities to continue despite movement restrictions.
Abang Johari also cautioned that while social media has become a powerful economic tool, it must not be misused for spreading misinformation, stressing that irresponsible content could undermine social harmony and political stability.
“Platforms like TikTok should not be used to spread misinformation. Statistics in Malaysia show high usage of IT tools, including transactions on Facebook, but unfortunately some people use them for negative purposes.
“Instead of generating income, they spread falsehoods. While platforms like Facebook generate wealth, we ourselves end up divided. When society is divided, politics becomes unstable,” he said.
He added that Sarawak remains stable with well-organised governance, allowing the state government to focus on development agendas that benefit the people.
“The development of social media, internet, and communication should be used to build society, not to divide it,” he said.
