PONTIAN: Police are investigating claims that a photograph involving female candidates in the upcoming state polls was doctored using artificial intelligence (AI).
Pontian OCPD Supt Hadzrat Mussien Mion Hussain, confirmed that investigations were underway under Section 505(C) of the Penal Code and also under the Ocmminications and Multimedia Act 1998 but declined to elaborate further.
Former Pontian councillor Lee Ching Kong has lodged a police report over the incident.
He denied that he had used AI to generate the photograph depicting six DAP female candidates wearing headscarves.
"That photograph is not mine or something I did using AI. I just shared a picture uploaded by someone else.
"I took the picture that was uploaded on the 'Rakyat Yang Boss' Facebook group on June 17," he said, adding that any accusations that he manipulated the image were baseless.
He claimed certain quarters had twisted the contents of his social media post and his account was now blocked.
He also said it was never his intention to insult any race or religion nor stir up 3R (religion, royalty and race) issues.
"I hope the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police will look into the matter," said, adding that he would fully cooperate with investigations.
He said his social media post was mainly a call for Malaysians working in Singapore to return to vote.
The photograph depicts six female DAP candidates for the Johor polls all wearing headscarves.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke condemned the post as part of a dirty tactics ahead of the approaching state polls.
