CORONAVIRUS | Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said while coronavirus is an urgent matter to deal with, another kind of "viral" which has become critical is the spreading of fake news in regard to the matter.
"I would like to stress a message by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah for us all to get verified information from the prime minister and his deputy, myself (as the health minister), and the Health Department director-general.
"The 'more critical' problem is the spread of fake news in relation to coronavirus.
"For instance, (a posting) saying that all countries except Malaysia have closed their doors to Chinese tourists. This is not true.
"No countries have done this because they obey the instructions from the World Health Organisation as well as the Public Health Emergency of International Concern," Dzulkefly (above) said in a media conference at KLIA2 today.
He added that the ministry would release a list of all the fake news and lies in the near future.
He stressed that the country is on a high level of preparedness following a wealth of experience dealing with the breakout of viruses in the past.
"If we look at history, we have dealt with SARS, Nipah, H1N1, Ebola, Zika and MERS viruses.
"What I want to say is that we have a wealth of experience... and we have conducted drills to move our machinery.
"Our centre of preparedness is always on alert... we will not be complacent and will continue to improve," Dzulkefly said.
Meanwhile, police and the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said today that they have identified four individuals to be probed in relation to spreading fake news on the coronavirus.
In a joint statement, the authorities warned unscrupulous parties against spreading unverified or fake news regarding the matter on social media, including the online messaging platform.
The statement warns that action can be taken under Section 505 of the Penal Code, where those found guilty would be jailed up to two years, or fined or both.
Offenders can also be investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, which provides for a year in jail and a maximum fine of RM100,000, or both.
To date, Malaysia has confirmed four positive cases, all Chinese nationals, in Johor, while five individuals suspected of having been infected with coronavirus are in isolation.
Authorities have also detained a family of three after the parents took their two-year-old daughter, suspected of having the disease, out of a hospital against doctors' orders. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.