Astana lodges report over fake news on Taib's health

KUCHING: Astana Negeri has lodged a police report against fake news concerning Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud's health.

Taib's press secretary Peter Sibon said the report was made so that police could take the necessary action on the unverified messages circulating on social media.

"There has been a lot of fake news going around, including some saying (Taib) was not well or sick and some even saying he had already passed away.

"We leave it to the police to investigate this matter so that all this unnecessary fake news will be put to rest," he told reporters after lodging the report at the Gita police station here on Friday (June 23).

He was accompanied by Taib's aide-de-camp Hamka Mohamad, Astana security chief Zaim Kamaruzzaman and administrative officer Ratmawati Sabil.

Asked about the Head of State's condition, Peter referred to a statement issued by the Astana on Thursday (June 22) assuring that Taib was "well and in good stead".

According to the police report, Peter received a WhatsApp message at 8.15pm on Wednesday (June 21) claiming that Taib was in an induced coma at the Sarawak General Hospital.

The message spread quickly on social media, along with other rumours concerning Taib's health.

The case will be investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, which covers the offence of transmitting online communication deemed to be obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person.