Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani says the 10 had been arrested under the ordinance which defines fake news as information that ‘is wholly or partly false relating to Covid-19 or the proclamation of emergency’.
PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested 10 people and opened 21 investigation papers over fake news linked to either the Covid-19 pandemic or the emergency declaration, the nation’s top cop said.
Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said action had been taken under an emergency ordinance which was gazetted on March 11.
In a statement, Acryl Sani said of the 10 who were nabbed, three would be charged while the remaining seven were released on police bail.
He went on to caution the public against sharing fake news as it could negate the government’s efforts to contain the outbreak.
“The public should also be responsible when sharing anything on social media.”
Under the ordinance, those who create, publish or distribute fake news will face a fine of up to RM100,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both, under a new law published as an emergency ordinance.
The Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance 2021 defines “fake news” as news or information that “is or are wholly or partly false relating to Covid-19 or the proclamation of emergency”.