Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said WhatsApp users would soon be able to verify any news or information shared on the platform through the chatbot, which would be reachable via a contact number.

He expressed hope that the feature, which will be available in the “main” local languages, would be introduced before the end of this month.

“I tested the feature yesterday and asked whether (the government) had issued a casino licence in Johor.

“In less than a minute, it replied that the claim was false based on media reports,” Fahmi said after officiating the Network and Infrastructure Partnership Framework soft launch here today.

He added that the initiative involved NGOs as well as Bernama.

“They have very high standards, so we will use the fact-checking team and the reports they produce to respond (to queries).”

‘Bersatu duo joined PH ceramah voluntarily’

Fahmi, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) information chief, also said that Selat Klang assemblyman Abdul Rashid Asari and Tanjong Karang MP Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi had voluntarily joined PH’s ceramah in Kuala Kubu Baharu last night.

“(Rashid) is proactive. I believe he offered to participate in the (ceramah) with PH, and so did (Zulkafperi). It’s their right to campaign (for the PH candidate),” he said.

Zulkafperi is one of six Bersatu MPs who declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Rashid meanwhile had given the Selangor menteri besar his backing.

The other five MPs are Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli) and Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar).

Bersatu recently amended its constitution to allow the party to revoke the memberships of elected representatives who go against the party’s stand.

It contends that the seven elected representatives are no longer members for pledging support for the federal and Selangor governments.