JOHOR BARU: Seven investigation papers have been opened by the Royal Malaysian Police involving the spread of fake news, racist sentiments and racial hatred articles since Dec 1.
Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said enforcement action was taken through the establishment of a Special Team to Tackle Fake News which was established last Dec 1.
She said her ministry is waiting for further action from the Attorney General's Office which is studying the cases.
"For the period from Dec 1, 2022, to Jan 6, 2023, a total of seven investigation papers involving social media posts based on the 3Rs (Rulers, Race, Religion) have been opened and are being investigated by police and the Attorney General's Department.
"Investigation papers were opened by the police involving the offence of writing articles related to hate news, insulting royalty, racism as well as religious sentiments.
"This is important because it is an order of advice from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and also the Sultans in this country.
"Therefore, we have collaborated with the police and the Attorney General to ensure that any offence committed in relation to these matters will be subject to strict action per the law," she said.
Teo told this to reporters after making a working visit to Johor FM and Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) Johor here today.
She explained that the government does not intend to restrict the public's access to the digital world through the various social media platforms available today.
However, the government was trying to raise awareness among the community to stop the spread of fake news.
"Now that social media has become a platform used by everyone, we cannot stop their access and that is not the government's intention.
"Freedom of speech is an important feature that supports a democratic system. As a democratic country, I believe that every citizen has the freedom to express opinions and criticism.
"However, we need to remember that this freedom of speech does not mean that you have the freedom to lie and incite," she said.
Teo said sharing false, objectionable and threatening content is an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (AKM) 1998.
"But we want to educate and improve digital literacy so that the people become more digitally literate to get authentic information, especially through local news agencies such as RTM, Bernama and the Department of Information," she added.