'Sorry' won't stop authorities from going after those posting fake news - minister

CORONAVIRUS | Retractions and apologies won't deter authorities from going after those who have posted "fake news" on social media, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

"Recently, we heard about an individual who posted fake news then later apologised and deleted it.

"I understand that police have called the individual for investigation. Do not think that after publishing and then apologising and deleting it will solve the problem. Action will still continue," he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Ismail did not mention names but his statement came days after Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh posted a video on Facebook claiming of a mass influx of people from Singapore into Johor during the movement control order (MCO).

Fauziah later deleted the posting and apologised after realising it was untrue.

Ismail said 217 investigation papers have been initiated by the police and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) concerning fake news during the MCO.

He added that 23 people have been charged in court and four have pleaded guilty.

Ismail is the senior minister in charge of security matters and tasked to coordinate enforcement actions during the MCO.

To date, Ismail said no exodus has been observed at the Johor-Singapore border.

"To date, not many Malaysians are entering Johor Bahru from Singapore through the causeway.

"Our figures show there are around 1,900 to 2,000 people each day but 90 percent are involved in the logistics service such as sending fresh food from Malaysia to Singapore.

"Those who are actually coming back amounts to about 10 percent or around 200 a day," he said.

He reiterated that those coming back from Singapore would be screened and quarantined for 14 days.

He added that in the event of an exodus of Malaysians from Singapore in Malaysia, the government would manage the entry by allowing people to come in in phases so that there are sufficient quarantine facilities.

However, he said such a situation has not arisen as many Malaysians in Singapore are still working as several essential industries are still operating.

Singapore entered into a partial lockdown on April 7 while Malaysia has been in a partial lockdown since March 18. - Mkini