Today, a significant online controversy erupted due to an automatic translation error on Facebook involving Malaysia's national public broadcaster, RTM. The incident stemmed from a post originally written in Bahasa Melayu, congratulating Sultan Ibrahim ibn Sultan Iskandar of Johor on his installation as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The mistranslation caused quite a stir, drawing attention and backlash from the public.
In the original post, RTM expressed, "Junjung kasih kepada Yang Maha Mulia Raja-Raja Melayu," which translates to "Highest regards to His Majesty the Malay Kings." However, Facebook's automatic translation function erroneously rendered this message in English as "Condolences to His Majesty the Malay Kings," leading to widespread confusion and indignation.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil swiftly addressed the issue, taking to his official Facebook page to clarify the situation. He emphasized that the incorrect English translation was generated by Facebook's automated system and was not the work of RTM. Fahmi stated, "Some quarters are accusing RTM of writing an indecent Facebook post in English. In reality, the real posting was made in Bahasa Melayu."
The minister further revealed that an irresponsible individual had circulated defamatory remarks regarding the mistranslated post, even going so far as to suggest that Fahmi should "hang himself" over the incident. Fahmi shared a screenshot of the malicious WhatsApp message in his post, urging the public to be fair to RTM and refrain from spreading slander.
In response to the controversy, RTM has lodged a police report regarding the mistranslation. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) also contacted Meta, Facebook's parent company, to address the error. According to a report by BERNAMA, Meta has since corrected the translation issue.
This incident highlights the potential pitfalls of relying on automatic translation tools and the importance of context and accuracy in official communications. As technology continues to advance, ensuring the reliability of such tools becomes ever more crucial to avoid misunderstandings and maintain the integrity of public discourse.
