KUALA LUMPUR: 24 individuals have been charged in court for spreading fake news on Covid-19.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had opened 220 investigation papers regarding the matter.
He said out of the total charged, 13 had pleaded guilty while 152 other cases are still under investigation.
“The spread of fake news is a serious matter and the government will not tolerate it,” he said at a press conference today.
On another matter, Ismail also denied allegations that the third phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO) from April 15 to April 28 was not gazetted.
He said those who spread the news alleged that as it was not gazetted, police did not have the authority to arrest those who flout the MCO.
"This is not true and action will be taken against those who spread this news,” he said, adding the government will not compromise with anyone who spread fake news.