Govt mulling new laws to combat spread of false info

PETALING JAYA: Laws are being looked at to deal with the phenomenon of fake news on social media as it could pose a threat to national security.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said current laws are inadequate to handle the growing problem posed by fake news, which is now a global issue.

“Fake news is no longer just about character assassination but is seen by some nations as a security threat. So we too are looking at passing specific laws and adopting models used by other countries to deal with the problem, particularly fake news that could jeo­pardise our security,” he told The Star.

While Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 could be used to clamp down on fake news, Salleh said new laws are needed.

“There are laws at the moment but it is not easy gathering forensic evidence, (especially) if the servers are located abroad,” he said.

He cited Britain’s move to set up a new national security communications unit as an example of measures needed to combat fake news.

Last year, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) received 1,203 complaints on false content, online impersonation and fake news.

Access to more than 1,800 websites, portals and blogs was restricted as they were found to be circulating misleading content, information and news that could cause confusion and disharmony.

Among the kinds of fake news affecting security were bogus reports on the Lahad Datu intrusion in Sabah in 2013, which caused fear among Sabahans.

Salleh said the MCMC Network Security and Enforcement Sector will also be beefed up in light of a possible increase in fake news leading up to the coming general election.

“We expect to see more fake news circula­ting on social media as the election draws near and we are preparing for this by increasing manpower to monitor social media,” he added.

He advised members of the public not to spread information or news they receive or read on social media without verifying it first.

He said members of the public could check the veracity of social media news on ­sebenarnya.my, a website set up to dispel fake news.