The Prime Minister’s Office has strongly denied the ‘fake news’ being circulated in a WhatsApp audio clip regarding the alleged extravagant government spending for Rosmah Mansor, the wife of caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
In a statement, the PMO said that the individual making the claims in said audio clip may also be probed under the recently passed Anti-Fake News Act 2018.
“In the recording, an individual has made baseless and wild allegations regarding the government’s spending, regarding Rosmah.
“The individual has claimed that excessive amounts have been spent by the government for a birthday cake for the prime minister’s wife, and two CCTVs at Rosmah’s office in Putrajaya.
“The individual claimed that his source was a friend who worked in the Finance Ministry, and further claimed that a day’s collection of RM70.1 million in GST was stolen and never found in the Treasury,” said the statement.
The PMO “strongly denied” the allegations, which it said were politically motivated.
It also lamented the rise in fake news and slander circulating on social media in the run-up to the 14th general election.
“People are urged to evaluate and check before believing news that is fake, slanderous, and that is spread for personal or political reasons by irresponsible parties.
“Individuals involved in making and spreading such fake news can be investigated under the Anti-Fake News Act 2018. If convicted, the accused can be fined not more than RM500,000, or jailed at least six years, or both.”
Earlier today, Rosmah’s aide Rizal Mansor had also commented on the video, denying that his boss even had an office in Putrajaya.
– M’kini
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