PETALING JAYA: The call by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for the public to stop spreading modified photos, unverified news and speculation on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) has been met with derision by netizens.
Many took to the Internet on Thursday to question the warning, including social activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir (pic).
“Jails will be full,” tweeted Marina, attaching a link to a news portal report on the statement by MCMC.
The call came a short while after the hashtag #1MDBMovies started trending on Twitter.
Others also took to Twitter, echoing Marina’s views.
“I think the hashtag #1MDBMovies is trending, the police would not have enough personnel to detain everyone,” wrote user @AkemAiman.
“Wow, now if we lampoon #1MDBMovies we go to jail. I wonder if they can put over 60 percent of Malaysia in jail, do they ever think before they talk?” asked user @kishinmahtani30.
In a statement on Thursday, MCMC reminded the public that those spreading such items on social media, including through mobile messaging service WhatsApp, could be found guilty under Section 211 or Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The Commission added that those found guilty of the offence could be “fined not more than RM50,000 and/or jailed for not more than one year”.
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