PDRM Launches A Formal Investigation Against Local Anti-Vaxxer On Twitter
Bukit Aman CID director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan noted that the person has alleged that 41 teachers died due to the COVID-19 vaccine.
By Sadho Ram — 10 Oct 2021, 12:03 PM
A local anti-vaxxer on Twitter is being investigated by Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) after the Ministry of Health (MOH) lodged a report
MOH lodged the police report yesterday, 9 October, a day after Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin took to his official Twitter account to call out the owner behind the Twitter handle @Khalids, who allegedly has been spreading fake news against the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Malaysia for months now.
According to a MOH spokesperson, the report against @khalids involves the circulation of a list of school teachers who recently died. The anti-vaxxer claims that they died due to the COVID-19 vaccine.
The tweet containing the list, still accessible on his Twitter account at the time of writing, has personal details such as the names of the teachers, their schools, date of their vaccinations, and death.
The investigation is being conducted under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation, Section 505 (c) of the Penal Code for intent to incite or which is likely to incite any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community of persons.
"The account owner is also being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for misusing network facilities," said Bukit Aman CID director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan.
Abd Jalil noted that @khalids has alleged that 41 teachers died due to the COVID-19 vaccine and that his tweet received various reactions
According to Abd Jalil, police received a report lodged by MOH on the fake news posted on 8 October.
"The tweet received 52 retweets, 1,168 quote tweets and 70 likes. It received various feedback and reactions from social media users," he added.
A check by SAYS showed that the said tweet has since garnered more engagement.
He reminded the public to be wary of those who attempt to use the social media platforms to disseminate unverified information
"We will take stern action against anyone who blatantly disrupts public order and safety," he said.
