KUALA LUMPUR - The police have rubbished a message being spread on WhatsApp and social media that urged non-Malays to stay home and to stock up on food in preparation of racial riots allegedly planned on September 16.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Asmawati Ahmad said that the message was “baseless conjecture” concocted by irresponsible parties aiming to jeopardise racial harmony and to undermine public order in the country.
“Please be advised that spreading such unfounded and unverified information could bring about distrust, discord and disharmony amongst the multi-racial society of this country,” Asmawati, who heads the corporate communications unit under the Inspector-General of Police's (IGP) Secretariat, said in a statement.
Asmawati also reminded the public that the police will use Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233(1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to detain those found to be spreading seditious content and abusing networking platforms.
Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act criminalises actions that have a seditious tendency, including speech and the printing, publishing, selling (or offering for sale), distribution, reproduction or importation of seditious materials.
Section 233(1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act prohibits the improper use of network facilities.
According to the police, the rumour on social media claimed that racial violence would be planned against the non-Malays during a celebration parade on September 16, Malaysia Day, so that an emergency declaration would be made for political purposes.
The message also warned the Chinese and Indians from leaving their homes on that day and to stock up on food and basic necessities. - Malay Mail
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