IT teacher claims trial to initiating transmission of fake WhatsApp message
TAWAU: An information technology (IT) teacher claimed trial in the Sessions Court here yesterday to a charge of knowingly making and initiating the transmission of fake information using WhatsApp.
Rafeah Buang, 36, who is attached to a government department in Semporna, is accused of initiating the transmission of a fake message to a WhatsApp group called “KARPET KEMAS 189SEMPORNA’’ with the intention to annoy others at about 1 pm at Semporna Hospital on Dec 11, 2014.
The alleged message sent on December 11, 2014 at about 1 pm 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 are 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 charge, under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, provides for a fine of up to RM50,000, or imprisonment for up to a year, or both, and a further fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after the conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Mohd Sophian Zakaria, who prosecuted said the case was the first of its kind in Malaysia involving a group Whatsapp application service.
Judge Awang Krisnada Awang Mahmud allowed bail of RM2,500 in one surety and fixed Jan 31, 2018 for case management and appointment of counsel by the accused.