Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin has issued a stern warning to those who spread false information and “seditious” news.
In a statement today, he said the ministry was concerned over the rising number of police investigations into the spread of such information.
“To ensure that harmony and wellbeing of the rakyat continues to be maintained, the ministry will not hesitate in taking action based on all available laws like the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the Sedition Act 1948.
“The ministry will not compromise if anyone purposely causes provocation or threatens public safety and public order.
“All parties are advised against releasing or spreading false information or seditious news to ensure societal harmony and wellbeing,” he said.
Compared to the nine sedition investigations in 2017, Hamzah said the following year saw 31 such investigations.
In 2019, police launched 78 sedition investigations.
As of May 11 this year, he said that police have opened 262 investigation papers into the spread of false and seditious news.
The Home Ministry oversees the police force.
Earlier today, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) have opened a total of 264 investigation papers into false news on Covid-19 as of May 14.
Of the 264 cases - 30 individuals have been charged in court, 18 have pleaded guilty while 11 have been given warning notices.
Another 177 cases are still under investigation. - Mkini
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