Senior citizen fined RM2,000 for spreading fake news on Covid-19

MELAKA: A senior citizen was fined RM2,000 by the Magistrate's Court in Ayer Keroh here for circulating fake news about Covid-19.

Alias Samad, 63, pleaded guilty before magistrate Muhammad Nazrin Ali Rahim on Friday (March 27).

According to the charge sheet, Alias circulated a message alleging that an acquaintance, part of the tabligh cluster, tested positive for Covid-19 but refused to seek medical treatment.

He had circulated the message under the WhatsApp group administered by the moniker "ttham radio".

Alias committed the offence at Lot 1377, Jalan Baru, Kampung Jambatan Duyung here at 9.26pm on March 20.

He was charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for statements conducing to public mischief.

The charge carries a maximum two years' imprisonment, or a fine, or both, if convicted.

The court also ordered Alias to be jailed for four months if he failed to pay the fine.

Alias, who was unrepresented, settled the fine.