The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) with help from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) raided 11 locations in several states believed to have abused the use of social media.
The raids were carried out in Putrajaya; Petaling Jaya (Selangor); Perai and Simpang Ampat (Pulau Pinang); Kerteh and Kuala Dungun (Terengganu); Pasir Puteh (Kelantan); Kluang and Indahputra (Johor); as well as in Bachang and Masjid Tanah (Melaka) following complaints by MCMC had received from victims.
In a statement today, MCMC’s Enforcement and Investigation division head Datuk Mohd Shafie Harun said most of the offences were based on the distribution of pornographic content, offensive text messages sent via SMS and other content that was deemed to have the intent to threaten and harass.
“In the raid, recordings of conversations were also taken from suspects while several communication devices, SIM cards, memory cards, laptops, and hard drives were seized for further investigation,” he said.
Mohd Shafie said that under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Improper use of network facilities or network service, etc) it is an offence to post any content which is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in nature with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person.
The offence carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both, upon conviction, he said.
He urged social media users in the country to exercise restraint while accessing the Internet and not use it as a platform to disseminate sensitive matters that could invite public anger. — Malay Mail
