KUALA LUMPUR: The police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) have so far opened 268 investigation papers on cases of fake news related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said of the total, 178 are still under investigation; 30 have been charged in court; 11 were issued with warning notices; and 18 people pleaded guilty to the offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
He said the public should verify any news they come across through the portal Sebenarnya.my.
"I hope the public would verify the news before disseminating unverified content. Do not share information if you are not sure (of its veracity), as you could also face legal action for doing it.
"The police and the MCMC will take stern action against those sharing fake news," he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.
Section 233 of the Act carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding one year, or both.