The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is to investigate a viral online news alleging that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had declared there was no element of corruption in the case involving the Sabah Water Department.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak said the MACC had confirmed that the information being circulated online was incorrect.

Whoever is responsible for circulating the false news is subject to enforcement action under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, he said when contacted by Bernama today.

"The government takes a serious view of false news circulated on social media. Users are reminded against circulating news that has yet to be verified, as it could confuse the public.

"I would like to advise the people against believing in or being easily influenced by the content of messages on social media. Verify the news with the right source,” he said.

The MACC yesterday lodged a police report against the owner of a Facebook account by the name of ‘Cikgu Aming’ who had uploaded what was said to be a portal report, alleging MACC had confirmed that there was no element of corruption in the Sabah Water Department case.

On Dec 29 last year, three people were charged in the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court for money laundering involving a total of RM61.48 million, as well as unlawful possession of luxury goods. The case is set for mention on Aug 8.

The three are former Sabah Water Department director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib, his wife Fauziah Ag Piut and Sabah Finance Ministry technical and engineering advisor Lim Lam Beng.

-- Bernama