Cops, MCMC have carried out 266 investigations into fake news about Covid-19

PETALING JAYA: As many as 266 investigations have been carried out by police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) over fake news concerning the Covid-19 pandemic, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

As of Tuesday (May 26), Ismail Sabri said that of these cases, 179 cases were still under investigation, 30 cases had been charged in court, 11 were given warnings and 18 have pleaded guilty.

Ismail Sabri also said the Immediate Response Taskforce set up by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry have provided 297 denials and explanations to curb fake news.

"I want to remind everyone to be careful on every piece of news they receive and to check its authenticity," he said during his daily briefing on the conditional movement control order (MCO) on Tuesday.

Ismail Sabri also warned that action would be taken against those who spread fake news.

"Action will be taken by the authorities against those who shared fake news, not only on those who made them," he added.