Abdul Hamid Bador
MELAKA: The police have warned all quarters to promptly stop disseminating and sharing invalid news on the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) or face legal action.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, when giving the reminder, said the irresponsible action of spreading false news on the 2019-nCoV could cause panic and fear among the people.
‘’The actions would be irresponsible and unfair to the people because it could simultaneously invite a more serious situation to the harmony (in the country).
‘’The police view seriously the actions of those quarters who spread invalid news and firm and prompt action will be taken to curb them,’’ he told reporters after a ceremony to hand over the 1/2020 series of the Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara (PJPN) Award for the Melaka Contingent here yesterday.
A total 425 retired police officers, policemen and those still serving received the PJPN which was handed over by Abdul Hamid. Also present was Bukit Aman Management Department director, Datuk Abd Rahim Jaafar and Melaka police chief Datuk Mat Kasim Karim.
Abdul Hamid said those detained for spreading invalid news on 2019-nCoV would be charged as quickly as possible.
Until to date, the police had opened 13 investigation papers on the spreading of invalid news on the viraling of 2019-nCoV through the social media and three would be charged in court.
One case was charged in a Kuala Lumpur court this morning involving a woman who pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court on three charges of making statements on the issue of the 2019-nCoV infection in her Facebook.
Wan Noor Hayati Wan Alias, 41, was charged under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code which provided a maximum two-year jail or fine or both if found guilty.
The court allowed the accused to a RM12,000 bail in one surety for all charges. – Bernama