PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) should review Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to effectively stop the spread of fake news online, says social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

"MCMC needs to take action as a stern warning to those who simply spread fake news," he said.

The commission can take action against individuals who spread false news online under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities, he added.

Anyone found guilty can be fined up to RM50,000 or be jailed for not more than a year or both.

Those convicted can also face a further fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence was continued after conviction.

Lee added that if the provision was deemed to suffice, then the commission must act without fear or favour but if there were weaknesses, it should be reviewed to provide more stringent punishments.

Lee, who is the Alliance for a Safe Community chairman, was responding to the recent emergence of a decade-old video of a fatal road accident that was shared on social media lately, leading Malaysians into believing that it was a fresh case.

The vehicle was said to have met with an accident on the way to Genting Highlands but police have since confirmed that the incident happened in 2010 on the North-South Expressway near Pedas, Negri Sembilan.

"Resharing this old video only creates fear and panic. I received many calls from individuals whose family members were travelling to Genting Highlands over Chinese New Year.

"Naturally, they panicked when they saw this video and only calmed down when I reassured them that the incident in the video did not happen recently," he said.

Lee said MCMC should take severe action against those who shared the video.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/27/mcmc-needs-to-take-stern-action-against-those-spreading-fake-news-says-lee-lam-thye