KUALA LUMPUR: Eight cases involving false social media posts related to the global supply crisis, including claims concerning fuel prices and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, have been compounded a total of RM200,000, Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching said.
She said each individual involved was fined RM25,000, while five other cases had been brought to court for further action.
Teo said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had identified more than 600 false posts linked to the global supply crisis as of May 6.
"The figure reflects the seriousness of the disinformation threat in today's media landscape.
"This is why the media's role as the frontline defence against fake news and the manipulation of facts remains crucial," she said in her speech at the National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2026 Strategic Partners Engagement Session here on Thursday (June 4).
Teo said the media's responsibility extends beyond reporting facts to helping the public understand the broader context behind events.
"Amid the flood of digital information, mainstream media must serve as a filter that clarifies information, rather than adding to the noise and confusion in society," she said.
Meanwhile, Teo said the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) has been implementing Phase 2 of its Complaints Mechanism since April 8 to strengthen self-regulation within the media industry.
Under the mechanism, all complaints must be submitted through the council's official platform instead of email, ensuring a more structured, transparent and professional complaints management process, she said.
As of May 31, MMM had received 13 complaints involving issues such as reporting accuracy, unauthorised use of images and the impact of content on social harmony. Of the total, 11 cases have been resolved, while the remainder are under review. — Bernama
