KAJANG: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) today hauled in six people nationwide for spreading fake news on Facebook.
The suspects, four women and two men, between 20 and 40 years of age, were picked up from their residences in Pendang, Kedah; Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan; Hulu Langat, Puchong, Kapar and Seri Kembangan in Selangor.
They were brought in to assist with investigations for allegedly disseminating fake news regarding halal and non-halal frozen meat, which were purportedly found stored together in a container at Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Johor.
The six were taken in under Section 233 (1)(a) of the MCMC Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities or network service, with police assistance.
If convicted, they are liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding one year or both.
The call was made following a public complaint filed to MCMC against the Facebook post.
MCMC Enforcement and Investigation division head Datuk Mohd Shafie Harun said the suspects had shared on their personal Facebook page stating that frozen halal and non-halal meats – lamb and pork – were found stored together in 74 containers.
"They had created public panic, causing Malaysians not to consume lamb, for example.
"We understand that they shared the post because they care, but we (would like to) advise social media users to verify the authenticity of the news before they share it," he told reporters in a press conference at Kajang police headquarters here, today.
MCMC has identified 14 people including the six brought in today for the same offence and is expected to detain the remaining individuals soon.
Shafie said the six have been released after their statements were recorded.
Last month, the Department of Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) seized four 30-tonne containers where halal and non-halal frozen meat were found stored together in a cargo shipment area at the PTP.
Checks on the four containers revealed that only one container had a consignment of lamb meat with a foreign halal logo stamped on it while others contained other meat, including 160 packs of pork legs and another 116 boxes of internal organs of animals stored inside the same container.