MCMC denies Syed Saddiq's confiscated phone allegation

 

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has denied allegations by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman that it "instructed" the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to confiscate his mobile phone as part of a probe into a video he made calling for justice in the custodial death of A Ganapathy.

"MCMC, as the technical agency in assisting the PDRM investigation did not issue any order to seize the evidence that is required for PDRM to complete their investigation.

"MCMC will continue to provide technical assistance and recommendations, as appropriate to the needs of the investigation transparently and without any hidden agenda which includes political agendas," the commission said in a statement.

Yesterday, Syed Saddiq said although he gave full cooperation by handing over his mobile phone, social media account, and sim card, the seizure was deemed unnecessary for an investigation only on his Instagram account.

"I have willingly allowed them access to my Instagram because they said the investigation is only on the account, and nothing else.

"So the question is why do they need to take the entire mobile phone?" he told reporters outside the Dang Wangi district police station in Kuala Lumpur, adding he was informed that instructions to seize his mobile phone came from the MCMC.

According to the former youth and sports minister, the concern stemmed from his experience of potential abuse in the MCMC for purposes of political intrusion and sabotage.

"We know there is a segment in the MCMC dedicated to political intrusion, sabotage campaign, and others - which was shut down by the previous Pakatan Harapan administration under former minister Gobind Singh Deo.

"The question is, after the change of government to Perikatan Nasional (PN), did they reactivate this unit with political intentions? That is my worry," Syed Saddiq said.

"I trust the police in this case. But they said the instructions came at the last minute from the MCMC.

The MCMC today also denied the existence of a "special unit" in MCMC for political purposes, political intrusion, sabotage campaigns, and other such uses, as alleged by Syed Saddiq.

"The MCMC has a role to regulate the industry based on the powers enshrined in the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the organizational structure of MCMC was formed in accordance with its regulatory role.

"In this case, the MCMC would like to invite Syed Saddiq to a presentation at which the Commission is prepared to provide a full description of its role and organizational chart which is also available on the MCMC official website," it said. - Mkini