Teacher Becomes First Malaysian To Be Charged With Spreading False Information On WhatsApp
The educator could be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed up to a year, or both.
By John Lim — 29 Nov 2017, 01:08 PM
A 36-year-old teacher has been charged with spreading false information through the instant messaging app WhatsApp
Rafeah Buang, an information technology (IT) teacher from Sabah, allegedly sent a message containing fake information to a WhatsApp group called 'KARPET KEMAS 189-SEMPORNA'.
According to The Malaysian Insight, this is believed to be the first case in the country involving the spread of false information via WhatsApp.
Rafeah pleaded not guilty to the charges in front of Tawau Sessions Court judge Awang Krisnada Awang Mahmud on Tuesday, 28 November
The said message contained an alert to the group about a black vehicle allegedly belonging to a rapist from Kg. Simunul, Semporna and told others to spread the word to family and friends.
She allegedly committed the offence on 11 December 2014.
The case was prosecuted by Communications and Multimedia Commission deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sophian Zakaria
Under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, Rafeah could face a fine of up to RM50,000, or imprisonment for up to a year, or both.
The accused could also be subjected to a RM1,000 fine for each day the false information was in circulation.
The judge allowed bail of RM2,500 and fixed 21 January 2018 for the case to be tried.