Stop spreading rumours of communications disruption: MCMC

By Digital News Asia May 5, 2013

Industry regulator says working with telcos to ensure network coverage is uninterrupted
Legal action will be taken against those creating and spreading rumours of network disruptions

Stop spreading rumours of communications disruption: MCMC THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would like to call on members of the public to stop spreading rumours that the telecommunications network coverage for voice and data will cease functioning during the general election.

“We’re in touch with the telcos and everything is fine,” said MCMC chairman Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi (pic).

“We are monitoring together with all the major telcos to ensure that the networks will always be working," he said in a statement.

The industry regulator said it views the spread of such rumours as a vicious attempt to discredit the service providers and create unnecessary panic among the people.

Legal action will be taken against those who are found guilty of creating and spreading such rumours, it added.

Malaysia goes to the polls today (May 5) in its 13^th general election (GE13), which some have described as “the mother of all elections.” Political observers have said there was a reasonable chance the nation may see a change in government for the first time since its independence in 1957.

Earlier in the week, the MCMC hauled in 15 people to give statements and assist in investigations into the dissemination of false news and defamation via text messaging.

One example of false news was rumours saying that there would be chaos on polling day during GE13, advising members of the public to stock up on basic necessities and food in anticipation, it said.

The MCMC said it has also found an increasing trend of cyber-bullying, such that elements of threats and libel, crimes under the Penal Code, also surfaced, and warned it would take action.

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