Online authority names 14 wanted over spreading ‘false news’ on floods

Online authority names 14 wanted over spreading ‘false news’ on floods

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is looking for 14 individuals to assist in its investigation into the spreading of alleged false news on the east coast floods through social media and messaging apps.

This move follows eight individuals who came forward to give their cooperation to the communications regulator.

The probe by the MCMC was in the wake of the spread of alleged false news, including claims that aid was not reaching those in need and that only those connected to Barisan Nasional are receiving help.

There are also claims that a Manek Urai school used as a relief centre had collapsed, claiming many lives. Police have since denied the incident.

"To date, eight people have given their cooperation. All of them have come to our office to help in our investigation," said MCMC monitoring and enforcement division chief Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin.

The latest batch of individuals – nine men and six women – have been asked to give their statements to the authorities immediately.

They are:

1. Raja Mohd Haidi Raja Daod, 27. Last known address: Kg Manek Urai, 18000 Kuala Krai, Kelantan

2. Zawawi Mat, 39. Last known address: No 26, Kg Tengah, Kuala Krai.

3. Mohd Bustam Omar, 40. Last known address: 6224 Jalan Kota Raja, Taman Bijaya, Klang, Selangor.

4. Mohamad Azrani Daud, 32. Last known address: No 70, Kampung Keda, Sadik, Kupang, Kedah.

5. Mohd Fauzi Mohd Azmi, 40.  Last known address: 2537, Lorong Bangau 2, Taman Si Buyong, Jalan Mentok Cukai, Terengganu.

6. Mohamad Zamzami Yaakob, 48. Last known address: Kampung Wakaf Lichong, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan.

7. El Jiffy Abd Aziz, 29. Last known address: 15 Jalan Melur 29, Taman Melur, Ampang, Selangor.

8. Yuliza Indriani Zulfin, 29. Last known address: 981-A, Paya Bemban, Jalan Abd Kadir Adabi, Kota Baru, Kelantan.

9. Farah Wahida Abdullah Suhaimi, 31. Last known address: No. 3-4-5, Blok 3 Sri Permata Condo, Jalan SASAAS 9/6, Seksyen 9, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor.

10. Natrah Mohamed, 30. Last known address: No 13, Jalan 4/10 B, Seksyen 4 Tambahan, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor

11. Norazimah Zakaria, 30. Last known address: Blok E1, 12 Mahallat Al Zahrawi, UIAM Jalan Istana, Bandar Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Pahang.

12. Siti Asiah Shaary, 22. Last known address: No 5, Jalan SD 2/2 Taman Seri Duyong 2, Melaka.

13. Ayub Musa, 37. Last known address: No 24, Lorong Chengal Lempong Baru 12, Taman Balok Jaya, Fasa 3, Perkampungan Chengal, Lempong Bari, Kuantan.

14. Nor Azwani Saimi, 26. Last known address: No 48, Kg Air Lanas, Lata Rek, Kuala Krai.

Those with information should contact MCMC investigation officer Mohamad Syukri Jamaluddin (019-2869515) or Rafina Mimi Muhammad (019-2869471) immediately.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police are to collaborate with MCMC to trace those who spread false information online.

"They have caused anxiety among the people affected by the floods. I hope the people will not listen to these rumours but get authentic information from the relevant authorities," he said. – January 2, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/online-authority-names-15-wanted-over-spreading-false-news-on-floods#sthash.JteLiLZk.dpuf

MCMC officers behaved like thugs

MCMC officers behaved like thugs
MCMC officers behaved like thugs

LFL lawyer is outraged over MCMC's insinuation that it is above the law.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) today questioned a journalist over a picture she had taken during the Bersih 2.0 rally.

But according to Lawyers For Liberty (LFL) coordinator, Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, the officials had behaved like thugs in their intimidation and harassment of both her and her client.

Fadiah had accompanied her client, Yusriah Yusof, a photographer with opposition mouthpiece Suara Keadilan, to the MCMC headquarters earlier this afternoon.

Yusriah was being questioned over her picture of Anwar Ibrahim’s bodyguard, Fayyadh Afiq Albakqry, taken after he was hit in the face with a tear gas canister while shielding Anwar.

The picture of his bloodied face were among the many circulated online in the aftermath of the rally as evidence of police brutality.

When the investigating officer (IO) met them at the entrance, Fadiah introduced herself and said that she was accompanying her client into the investigation room. The IO denied her entry and an argument ensued.

“He said that lawyers were not allowed to be present during the questioning,” she told FMT. “I told him that under the Federal Constitution my client had the right to have her lawyer present and asked him what his basis was in disallowing that right.”

“I even asked him why she was being questioned and whether there was a report made against her. The IO said of course there is a report but he wasn’t going to divulge it to me.”

When Fadiah pointed out that even the police released reports to lawyers, the IO apparently shot back,

“That is the police, we are MCMC.”

Shouting match

He, however, eventually reluctantly allowed Fadiah into the investigation room but then told her that he wanted to take her statement too.

“I refused and told him that I am merely accompanying my client and I’m not the party under investigation,” she said.



“We continued arguing until he shouted ‘you’re a Malay, right? you’re a Muslim, right?… stop asking questions!’”

“I told him not to bring religion into this and to respect the law. He shouted back that if I wanted to talk about the law then I should go to the court because this was his office and he didn’t want to talk about it.”

Before a stunned Fadiah could respond, two more officers entered the room and shouted to her to leave. While she argued with them, the IO began taking Yusriah’s statement, disregarding the photographer’s obvious distress.

“I turned my back on the two and focus on my client,” Fadiah said. “These men were in the baju Melayu complete with the sampin and they were behaving like thugs. They were talking like the law didn’t apply to them.”

“I am shocked by MCMC’s arrogance and ignorance. Even when they called my client in for questioning they never sent her an official notice. Just a casual phone call.”

The two officers threatened to lodge a police report against her, but when she she asked for their names in return, they replied that she had no right to know as she was in their office.

Fadiah added that the line of questioning was to determine the authenticity of the picture and if copies had been distributed to other publications.

“It was obvious that they want to send out a warning that the public and journalists who take and distribute such pictures will be hauled in for quesitioning,” she said.

“It is pure harassment of journalists, particularly my client because they couldn’t even tell her the basis of the investigation or what law she had breached.”

Yusriah is the first journalist to be questioned over this picture. The Suara Keadilan editor is expected to be called in next as are the other media that have published the image.






http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/08/19/mcmc-officers-behaved-like-thugs/