MELAKA: A hoax announcement on social media that Ramadan aid of RM750 will be disbursed to a large section of the Melaka population has vexed Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron.
Speaking from Mecca where he is performing the umrah, Idris refuted the viral message that Melaka-born individuals between the ages of 16 and 55 are eligible for 'Bantuan Ramadan Kerajaan Melaka (BRAM)’.
"This lie might be regarded as a joke, but it has tarnished my image and that of the Melaka state government.
"I hope that those who are spreading this rumour will stop immediately, and that those who have received the message will ignore it," he said in a Facebook posting, adding that he has directed the State Secretary to lodge a police report.
Idris was responding to social media posts that local-born residents between 16 and 55 years of age are eligible for the “special aid”, but are required to fill a BRAM form online.
The posts, however, ended with the disclaimer that the message was a prank (“Yes.., kena tipu... haha”).
Meanwhile, Umno Pantai Kundor Youth coordinator Jamil Mat lodged a report at the Tanjung Kling police station, asking the authorities to investigate the matter.