Hoax about TMJ giveaway first case under Anti-Fake News Act
KUALA LUMPUR: Rumours of “cash giveaways” by the Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibrahim that saw hundreds of shoppers descending on several supermarkets statewide this week is the first incident to be investigated under Anti-Fake News Act 2018.
Johor police chief Datuk Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd said investigations will be taken under Section 4 of Anti-Fake News Act 2018, which carries a maximum of RM500,000 or jail up to six years, or both, upon conviction.
“Investigations revealed that the giveaway news is fake,” he was quoted saying, referring to viral claims that the Tunku Ismail, better known as TMJ, would be footing the grocery bill for all shoppers of a supermarket in Pontian causing a massive gathering there at 10am Thursday.
Mohd Khalil said the viral claims had also affected other districts.
The Anti-Fake News Act 2018 could possibly see the first case for person to be arrested, charged and convicted under the law to curd false claims.
The supermarket sweep rumours began a day after Tunku Ismail spent RM1 million on shoppers at Aeon Tebrau City.
Rumours were going around that the TMJ would be giving away cash to shoppers at Econsave in Pontian and other supermarkets in the state.
This lead hundreds of shoppers to swarm the outlets and filling up their trolleys in anticipation of another impromptu “shopping spree”, the New Straits Times reported.
Police will also investigate the case under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or up to a year’s jail or both upon conviction.
Mohd Khalil said police would not compromise on the publication of any written article of statement that contains false information or offensive words, adding it includes insensitive and demeaning remarks.
“I implore the public to not be duped by news on social media. The information could have come unverified sources.
“People need to check the authenticity of the information to avoid being misled or duped,” he said.
Pontian police chief Superintendent Mustafa Bakri Salleh and Kluang police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Laham confirmed that they have received two separate police reports pertaining to the hoax.
Pontian Econsave and Aeon Big Kluang lodged separate police reports yesterday after rumours spread that Tunku Ismail would foot the bill of shoppers at several supermarkets in the state, including theirs.
Aeon Big Kluang security assistant personnel, Shanvider Singh, who lodged the report, said it was needed after some 600 shoppers caused a pandemonium at the supermarket.
“I filed the police report because things were getting out of hand. Although it is not as bad as what had happened in Aeon Terbrau City,” he said.
“The incident lasted until 7pm when they finally realised TMJ was not coming. They left the store empty handed,” he said.
Shanvider also said that the group of shoppers was adamant that Tunku Ismail was coming and did not budge when the supermarket management tried to tell them that it was a hoax.