{
  "id": 14087936,
  "title": "Deputy ministers warn ‘influencers’ against exploiting religious rituals for content",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/deputy-ministers-warn-influencers-against-exploiting-religious-14087936",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T01:05:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/13/deputy-ministers-warn-influencers-against-exploiting-religious-rituals-for-content/238875"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Social media influencers have been cautioned against using race, religion, or royalty matters, particularly religious rituals, in their online content to maintain harmony within Malaysia's diverse society, according to Deputy National Unity Minister R. Yuneswaran. The deputy urged influencers with substantial followings to exercise greater responsibility in producing content and promoting positive values rather than exploiting 3R sentiments. He emphasized that influencers might lack knowledge about certain communities' religious rituals or customs if they do not adhere to that religion.\n\nYuneswaran expressed the ministry's seriousness in addressing the issue surrounding an influencer who reportedly took part in a religious ceremony during the Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves, Selangor. The investigation was left entirely to religious authorities and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). He also urged the public to refrain from premature judgment or politicizing the matter, allowing the authorities to resolve the situation promptly.\n\nFurthermore, Yuneswaran encouraged social media influencers to collaborate with the ministry in promoting the Federal Constitution, the Rukun Negara, and the National Nationhood Programme. Although Malaysia is a multiracial society, he urged respect for rituals and ceremonies. On Sunday, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) confirmed they had initiated an investigation into a viral post alleging that a Muslim individual had participated in a non-Muslim ritual, which violated Islamic law.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Social media influencers have been reminded not to exploit issues involving race, religion...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Deputy ministers warn ‘influencers’ against exploiting religious rituals for content",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/deputy-ministers-warn-influencers-against-exploiting-religious",
        "published": "2026-10-13T01:05:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}