KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here on Wednesday (June 24) granted an ex parte interim injunction against blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, in a civil action initiated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
The MCMC, in a statement on Wednesday, said that under the order, Papagomo is restrained from publishing any defamatory statements against the commission.
The court also ordered an immediate halt to the publication and dissemination of harmful content on social media platforms, and prohibited the blogger from utilising any social media platform, whether through existing or new accounts, to disseminate false, misleading, or harmful content.
"This interim injunction will remain in force until the inter-partes hearing or further directions from the court," the statement read.
The commission said the legal action follows a Notice of Demand issued to Papagomo on April 9 over false content accusing the commission of blocking a news report by MalaysiaGazette.
According to the statement, he was found to have repeatedly used social media accounts to disseminate harmful content online.
"The interim injunction and civil action are based on existing laws that focus on online content that could affect public interest, jeopardise societal harmony, and erode confidence in public institutions," said the MCMC.
On April 9, the MCMC announced it would take legal action against Wan Muhammad Azri following allegations that the commission had blocked its court reporting involving Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The commission has strongly maintained that the allegations are untrue and baseless. – Bernama
