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Press Release: Four Individuals Detained For Spreading Fake News On The Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) Outbreak

29 Jan 2020
CYBERJAYA
29 January 2020
 
FOUR INDIVIDUALS DETAINED FOR SPREADING FAKE NEWS ON THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-nCov) OUTBREAK
 
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have detained four (4) individuals suspected of spreading false news regarding the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) outbreak.
 
PDRM and MCMC conducted four separate raids between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm, two (2) in Melaka and one (1) in Kedah and Pahang respectively, whereby the suspects were detained to record their statements.
 
In Alor Setar, a part-time tutor aged 49, was detained at about 12:00 pm for allegedly uploading fake news about the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) outbreak on Facebook on 25 January 2020.
 
Two pharmacy assistants aged between 25 and 30 were detained in Peringgit and Merlimau, Melaka respectively, around 4:00 pm to assist in investigations related to fake news on the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) outbreak that was uploaded on Facebook on 26 January 2020.
 
Meanwhile, a student aged 24, was also detained at 4:15 pm in Kuantan, Pahang for allegedly sharing false information on the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) outbreak via Twitter on 27 January 2020.
 
Four (4) units of smartphones, five (5) SIM cards and two (2) memory cards believed to have been used to upload false information on the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) outbreak on social media have been confiscated from all four suspects during the raids.
 
All suspects will be investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998, which provides a maximum fine of RM50,000, or imprisonment for up to a year, or both, and shall also be liable to a further fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.
 
MCMC and PDRM will continue to step up enforcement efforts to control the spreading of false news to preserve harmony and public order.

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