He warned that much of what was being spewed on social media appeared to be “political propaganda” and the peddling of inaccurate information about what had really happened.
At a press conference at a PPBM division office here, Abu Bakar urged the public to rely on accurate information from the authorities, rather than believe hearsay through the social media and other avenues.
While he did not offer any immediate solution for the evicted families, he said it was best that he remain silent on the matter for now as he researched the issue further.
“I will meet all involved in the eviction. I will not say anything now other than that I am on a fact-finding mission,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Mahathir tweeted that he was concerned with what was going on in Penang and had ordered his officer to have a look.
Yesterday, 22 households were evicted from the PPR, after they were found to have been ineligible, mainly due to higher income and longstanding arrears.
Last Wednesday, the authorities had gone to evict them from the flat, but after the Penang chief minister’s political secretary Teh Lai Heng intervened, they were given a one-week reprieve.
However, certain quarters on social media appear to have turned the matter into a Malay issue, giving the perception that the Penang government was cruel to the Malays by evicting them. The Malays form the largest ethnic group at the PPR.
Some of these families had put up overnight at Komtar in protest over the eviction, which they said was cruel and unfair. The state government had said ample time had been given to them prior to the eviction so that they could get alternative housing.
“There is no problem that cannot be solved. I am here to see what is happening, gather all details and later compile it into a report for the PM.
“Meantime, I will pay the relevant YB a visit, together with the director of the state housing department. Rest assured, we will let the authorities decide.
“We are a country of laws, we will go by the book on this. All I can say is, people should not blindly accept information that is not ‘soheh’ (accurate).
“We cannot believe and spread the news that can cause disharmony, or else it would lead to uncertainty in the country. Be patient and do not listen to unverified reports,” Abu Bakar said.