NIBONG TEBAL: Police have recorded the statement of a woman who allegedly spread fake news on Covid-19 infections in Sungai Bakap, triggering unnecessary fear and panic among locals.
This follows two voice messages which are currently circulating widely via WhatsApp.
Seberang Prai Selatan police chief Superintendent Lee Chong Chern said the head of the Sungai Bakap police station received the voice messages when he was at his office about 1.30pm today, before lodging a report against the individual who spread the fake news.
"Investigations revealed the voice messages, which contained fake news, were sent by the 47-year-old woman to her family members. The same voice messages were also sent to the 'Pusat Bersatu Jaya' WhatsApp group.
"Those in the WhatsApp group comprised members of the Persatuan Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, Sungai Bakap.
"The woman claimed she sent the voice messages yesterday. She claimed that while carrying out business beside the Sungai Bakap main road, she stumbled upon a police convoy headed towards the Sungai Bakap Hospital in full PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
"The reason she sent the voice messages was to caution family members and friends to be careful of the rising Covid-19 cases," he said.
Lee said checks showed the woman had acted that way after seeing police from the Sungai Bakap police station carrying the remains of a man from Kampung Valdor, Sungai Bakap to the Sungai Bakap Hospital.
"The personnel had worn the full PPE as a precautionary measure to protect themselves and to prevent any untoward incident," he added.
The case is being probed under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to two years or with fine or both.
Sharing of offensive and menacing content is an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding one year or both.- NST
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