Bukit Aman to probe anti-vaxxer groups

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has initiated two investigation papers into anti-vaccination groups in the country, including over a tweet claiming that 41 teachers died after receiving their Covid-19 shots.

Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said one of the investigation papers opened was over the tweet, which was put up by Twitter user Khalid@khalids.

“This IP (investigation paper) is being investigated under Sections 500 and 505(c) of the Penal Code for defamation and making statements with intent to incite a group to commit an offence against another group,” he said, adding that the case was also being investigated under Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act for the misuse of network facilities.

Police, he said, were waiting for the profile report from the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission on the case.

Comm Abd Jalil said the other IP was over a video clip of a woman linking the death of two students in Ipoh to the vaccination.

“This case has been classified under Sections 504 and 505(b) of the Penal Code for making statements that could cause public fear and anxiety, and intentional insult,” he said.

Advising the public to be responsible, smart and courteous social media users, Comm Abd Jalil said: “Our advice is simple – if you cannot verify the information you receive, do not share it.

“Do not use these platforms to spread unverified information which could lead to public anxiety.”

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin recently announced that the ministry had lodged a number of reports against anti-vaccination groups nationwide.