KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been instructed to look into the possibility of irresponsible quarters spreading false information over the issue surrounding the sale of socks bearing the word 'Allah'.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil was referring to an issue highlighted by an online news portal on e possible attempts at promoting coordinated inauthentic behaviour (CIB).
"I have received some information related to this issue (the sale of the socks) based on the report published by Malaysiakini, which examines the possibility of coordinated inauthentic behaviour or influenced operations.
"(The report highlighted that) a message is being repeated on the same platform by a number of unidentifiable accounts. Whether done intentionally or with their own motives.
"I have requested MCMC to investigate the report published by Malaysiakini, which is quite comprehensive," Fahmi, who is also the unity government's spokesman, told reporters here today.
Fahmi said he has also instructed the MCMC to check with social media platforms including TikTok on the actions being taken to prevent the spread of false information over the issue surrounding the sale of the socks.
Based on the information he received from MCMC, Fahmi said, TikTok has identified 1,040 contents since the issue involving KK Super Mart over the sale of the socks surfaced on March 13 until today.
Of the total, Fahmi said 53 per cent of the contents breached the country's laws while 19 per cent went against TikTok's community guidelines.
He added that 13 per cent of the content identified are still being looked into by TikTok.
"Let me stress here that freedom of speech is still guaranteed in Malaysia. Actions will only be taken against content that went against the law and community guideline (of TikTok)," he said.