Cops probe Tun M for fake news

KUALA LUMPUR: An investigation under the Anti-Fake News Act 2018 has been initiated over a claim by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the plane that was supposed to be used to fly him to Langkawi last Friday was sabotaged.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim said Mahathir’s case was one of the eight investigation papers (IP) that have been opened by police since nomination day.
“In total, we opened eight IPs, including Mahathir’s sabotage claim. People have lodged a report against his claim and the case is being investigated under the Anti-Fake News Act,” he said at an event at the city traffic police headquarters yesterday.
Mahathir, who is the parliamentary candidate for Langkawi, on Saturday said his claim was serious and even the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) had acknowledged that the plane was unable to fly.
However, CAAM chairman Datuk Seri Azahruddin Rahman said the department conducted an investigation following the allegation and did not find any indication that the plane had been sabotaged.
He said in a statement the aircraft was unable to fly only due to a minor and routine technical fault – air leakage from the left-side nose wheel of the plane.
On Monday, Mahathir criticised CAAM and private jet charter company, Vista Jet, for refuting his allegation.
He said despite their denials, both CAAM and Vista Jet admitted that there was some fluid leakage from the front wheel that would compromise the steering controls of the plane.
Mahathir subsequently took another plane to Langkawi.
Mazlan said of the remaining seven cases, three involved mischief – one by fire and two for conducting ceramah without permits, and another involving a report against a policeman.
He said police have received 66 permit applications from several political parties to conduct political ceramah for the campaigning period in the city.
Meanwhile, Mazlan said 437 city police personnel will be deployed in all 23 poling centers in the city to ensure public order during the early voting day on May 5.
On policemen being involved in campaigning and ceramah since nomination day, Mazlan said the police force will carry out its duties fairly without fear or favour.
“Police are apolitical and will take action against any personnel found to favour any political faction,” he added.