The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has warned the public not to spread false news about the 1MDB controversy through social networks.
"The public is advised to stop spreading manipulated photos, unverified news, or any speculation on the investigations into 1MDB through social networks, including the application 'Whatsapp'," MCMC said in a statement today.
They also reminded people that it might be a crime to spread these "false news" under Section 211 or 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act of 1998.
Section 211 states that no one shall "provide content which is indecent, obscene, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person". Section 233 contains similar language.
Anyone found guilty under these two provisions will be subjected to a fine not exceeding RM50,000, or to imprisonment not exceeding a year, or both.
With the release of The Wall Street Journal ’ s (WSJ) report last Friday alleging Premier Najib Abdul Razak had taken US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) from state funds, social media had burst into frenzy regarding any news related to the report and the investigations into the allegations.
Even before the seemingly damning WSJ report, last Monday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom had reminded Muslims not to become ' keyboard warriors ' spreading slander on the issue of 1MDB and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
"People have reduced to using their tongues to bicker about people, but now they are using their fingers. The fingers have become keyboard warriors in using Whatsapp, Telegram, Instagram, MMS and text messages," he said.
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