Amanah Youth leader fumes after RM25k MCMC fine over 'fake news'

 

An Amanah Youth leader is frustrated after being issued a RM25,000 compound by the MCMC for allegedly spreading fake news.

While Bachok wing chief Abdullah Aqili Romeli, 35, admitted it was a mistake to include a graphic with false information in a post, he said he intended to criticise a government agency for not doing its job.

This is believed to be in reference to a post Abdullah put up late last month.

In that post, he said he was repeatedly sent the offending graphic, which manipulated an infographic by TV3 on fuel prices to show a false exorbitant hike, but that he did not respond.

 “I just smiled, because J-Kom is also just smiling,” Abdullah said in the post. J-Kom or the Community Communications Department is the government’s propaganda arm, and its ambit includes combating fake news.

Speaking to Malaysiakini today, the Amanah politician said he had explained his cynical intentions to the MCMC, but regretted that it did not sway the commission.

“I will file an appeal. I hope the MCMC can consider it.

“As a government party leader at the grassroots level, I play a role in explaining the efforts and policies of the Madani government,” he said.

He also urged the MCMC to return his phone, which was seized during investigations.

Abdullah was among five individuals who were each issued a RM25,000 compound over fake news on fuel prices amid the West Asia crisis. - Mkini