Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo today condemned the alleged criminal intimidation made over social media against Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and said he regarded it as a serious matter.

“Besides fake news, criminal intimidation over social media is also a serious matter which demands severe action against anyone if investigation proves they have committed the crime,” he told Bernama.

Gobind referred to the alleged criminal intimidation made over Facebook against Lim, as reported by the media yesterday.

This followed social media posts earlier which alleged that Lim had chaired a meeting in relation to the pilgrimage fund Tabung Haji.

“I was informed that a police report has been made on the matter (of the criminal intimidation),” said Gobind.

He said this at a press conference after handing over myFreeview decoders to the B40 group and people with disabilities here, 

Gobind said Lim had nothing to do with the Tabung Haji meeting as the pilgrimage fund is solely under the purview of Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

Gobind said action would be taken against any party or individual spreading fake news on social media as it can have an adverse impact on national security or public order.

“I think we have to be careful when it comes to those using social media for the purpose of criminal threats. Of course, if there is evidence that an offence has been committed, then action will be taken.

“We have laws to deal with cases like these. When reports are lodged, the police will launch an investigation and the role of the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) is to assist the police, particularly where there is a request if that posting is made on social media,” he said.

Gobind also said that his ministry has been studying how to deal with fake news touching on race and religion over the past year, and several proposals have been put forward.

The ministry is also in the process of getting different opinions on how to deal with fake news on race and religion, he said, adding that this is a problem not only in Malaysia but also other countries around the world.

Gobind said he will call a press conference when the ministry is ready to make an announcement on the matter. - Bernama