PETALING JAYA: The public has been advised to stop spreading hate speech, especially involving royalty, race and religion, or face fines and possible imprisonment under the law.
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) interim chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din said this following the detection of such social media content by the police.
He urged everyone to respect the results of the 15th General Election, as well as the appointment of the 10th Prime Minister, which will be done by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
He said MCMC will continue to watch out for anyone disseminating fake news and statements, especially those touching on royalty, religion and race.
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"Any (content shared) which has false information and is threatening in nature is an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, with fines of RM50,000 or a year's jail or both if convicted," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 22).
Enforcement action by the police will be taken against those involved to safeguard peace and public order, he added.
He said anyone coming across such content should report it to the MCMC at https://aduan.skmm.gov.my/ or at https://sebenarnya.my/salur/.
On Monday (Nov 21), Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani warned the public not to create tension or any provocation on social media.
He said police detected social media content with racial or religious sentiments and insults towards the royal institution following the 15th General Election and amid the ongoing formation of the government.
