Case of woman posting fake news up for re-mention Jan 31
TAWAU: The case of posting fake news on social media by a 37-yearold woman – the first such case in the country – has been fixed for re-mention on Jan 31 next year by the Sessions Court here.
Sessions Court Judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud yesterday fixed the date in the case of Rafeah Buang @ Othman after she was charged under Section 233 (1)(a) and punishable under Section 233 ( 3) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The offence provides for a fine of RM50,000 or one-year imprisonment, or both; and a further fine of RM1,000 for each day of the offence to continue – after conviction.
The charge read that the accused on Dec 11, 2014 at about 11.45am, while fully aware of the consequences, had allegedly used social medial application ‘WhatsApp’ service via telephone number 012- 617 2724 to create and broadcast a fake communication to a WhatsApp group ‘ Karpet Kemas 189- Semporna’ with the intention of hurting the feelings of a third party.
The alleged message sent on Dec 11, 2014 at about 1pm at the Semporna Hospital, stated that the driver of a black Proton car with a given registration plate number was a rapist from Kampung Simunul, Semporna, and that family and friends were being advised for their safety.
The posting in Bahasa Malaysia read: “Assalamualaikum... Untuk makluman dan EXTRA ALERT... Kenderaan Proton Hitam bernombor plat SAAxxxxx dipercayai PEMANDUNYA adalah seorang PEROGOL.
“Orang Kg Simunul, Semporna.
“Sila maklumkan keluarga dan rakan2 untuk tujuan keselamatan. Tq…” ( Sumber daripada Hamba Allah, Hospital Semporna).”
The accused, who claimed to work at Community Development Department ( Kemas) Semporna as a teacher in the ICT unit, has been released on bail of RM2,500 under one local surety with a permanent address in Semporna.
The fixing of the date for re-mention is to allow for the handing over of documents and appointment of a lawyer for the accused.
MCMC deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sophian Zakaria is prosecuting the case.