KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) yesterday arrested four more individuals for allegedly spreading fake news on the 2019 novel coronavirus infection on social media sites.
In a statement issued today, the MCMC said all suspects, aged between 24 and 49, were arrested in four separate raids carried out in Malacca, Kedah and Pahang, between 11am and 5pm yesterday.
“A part-time tutor, aged 49, was arrested in Alor Star, Kedah, at noon on suspicion of uploading fake content pertaining to the virus on a Facebook page on Jan 25.
“In Malacca, two pharmacists, aged 25 and 30, were also detained in Peringgit and Merlimau, respectively, at about 4pm over Facebook posting on Jan 26,” it said.
Meanwhile, a 24-year-old public university student was arrested at 4.15pm in Kuantan, Pahang for allegedly sharing fake content of the infection on Twitter on Jan 27.
Also seized were four smartphones, five sim cards and two memory cards used to upload the content related to the virus infection, belonging to the suspects.
All suspects were investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 which provides a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one 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, it said.
Yesterday, the MCMC detained a 34-year-old individual in Bangi, Selangor, on suspicion of distributing fake news content on coronavirus infection.
The individual was arrested to assist in the investigation of a posting that was uploaded on a Facebook page on Jan 26. — Bernama
