KUALA LUMPUR: Four individuals have landed themselves on the police and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) radar for disseminating false information on the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.
MCMC and the police in a joint statement today said those found guilty of such acts could face severe legal action, including fine and imprisonment.
“The police and MCMC have identified four individuals to assist our investigation into the dissemination of fake news related to the novel coronavirus.
“Police and MCMC view the matter seriously, and will not be tolerant against any party which spreads false news on the 2019-nCoV which could lead to fear, panic or anger among the public, causing further disruption and harm to the country's stability,” read the statement.
Those caught spreading fake news may be prosecuted under Section 505 of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of a maximum two years or fine or both.
Offenders can also be charged under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 which carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a year’s imprisonment, or both.
Observations by the police and the MCMC showed that social media and online messaging platforms are the main mediums used to distribute false news about the 2019-nCoV.
“The public is urged to first verify any kind of information or news about the 2019-nCoV obtained from parties other than the Health Ministry, before sharing it to others,” it said.
The statement was made following false information on social media and online messaging application, claiming that the virus had spread to other states in the country.
Penang Health Department director Dr Asmayani Khalib refuted claims made in a WhatsApp message that the Seberang Jaya Hopsital had received its first 2019-nCoV case involving two visitors from China who have a travel history to Thailand.
Asmayani clarified that no hospital in Penang had recorded any case of 2019-nCoV as of Jan 26.
Negri Sembilan has also become a victim of the rumour mill. Viral messages have claimed that a man had been admitted to the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital after being suspected of having 2019-nCoV upon his return from his umrah pilgrimage.
This claim was rejected by state health department deputy director Dr Mohd Faid Rashid.
Other reports on social media, claiming that 2019-nCoV cases were reported in Melaka, Terengganu and Pahang have since been labeled as false.
In Melaka, Health and Anti-Drug Committee chairman Low Chee Leong said a seven-year-old Chinese national was initially suspected of carrying the 2019-nCoV. However, tests conducted by the Kuala Lumpur Hospital later proved negative.
Terengganu health department director Dr Nor Azimi Yunus said no cases of 2019-nCoV had been recorded in any hospital in the state.
He denied a claim by a Facebook page ‘Gabungan Anak Terengganu (Original)’, which alleged that five people had been admitted to the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) for the coronavirus after returning from Wuhan, China.
Pahang, meanwhile, was also alleged to have received its first coronavirus patient, who is allegedly being treated at a private hospital in the state.
This claim, however, was shot down by state health department director Datuk Dr Bahari Muda Awang Ngah who said the department had not received any report on any patient being admitted or treated for suspected coronavirus, including from private hospitals in the state.
Members of the public are advised to refer to the official Health Ministry website www.moh.gov.my/ or the World Health Organisation (WHO) (https://www.who.int/) for the latest updates on the 2019-nCoV.