Ahmad Maslan: We Will Nab Those Spreading GE14 Fake News After Polling Day
Under the Anti-Fake News Act 2018, offenders face a maximum fine of RM500,000, jail sentence, or both.
By Katrina Khairul Azman — 09 May 2018, 09:10 AM
Yesterday, 8 May, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan warned that everyone who had spread fake news leading up to GE14 will be held responsible as per the Anti-Fake News Act 2018
"After the general election, we will nab and take action against everyone who has spread fake news up to this point," said the caretaker Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, according to The Star.
Maslan told this to a crowd of more than 100 fishermen he met in Pontian after they pledged their support for the ruling coalition.
According to the politician, the caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has been "the worst victim of fake news"
"The number of vile things said against him is very bad. Don’t they feel guilty about it?" he asked the crowd.
The UMNO supreme council member revealed that he too is a victim of fake news and a target of Opposition cyber troopers
Maslan said that the cyber troopers are responsible for circulating memes of him claiming that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) helped lower the price of goods on WhatsApp and on the Internet.
Under the Anti-Fake News Act 2018, offenders face a RM500,000 fine, a six year jail sentence, or both, upon conviction
Malaysia is among the first few nations to legislate the policing of fake news.
On 30 April, 46-year-old Danish citizen Salah Salem Saleh Sulaiman became the first to be convicted under the recently passed Anti-Fake News Act 2018, Free Malaysia Today reported.
Head over to the SAYS GE14 live website on polling day for verified, real-time results and updates:
