Cops to quiz those who spread fake news on Pasir Gudang death
JOHOR BARU: Police will call up and record statements from those behind the spread of fake news involving the death of a woman supposedly due to air pollution in Pasir Gudang.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd (pic) said the husband of the victim had lodged a police report over the incident and authorities would call up those named in the report to get their statements.
“We are investigating the case. So I hope with this report, the public will stop believing the fake news that has been circulating regarding the woman’s death.
“Only the Health Ministry and the police can come out with statements on the cause of death.
“I hope that the public will not be easily influenced by such fake news in the future,” he said after
launching the mess building at the state police headquarters here yesterday.
The report, said Comm Mohd Khalil, was lodged at the Taman Scientex police station at 6.59pm on Sunday.
“The pollution incident in Pasir Gudang has caused distress to the public and this fake news just made it worse.
“The government and its agencies are doing their best to ensure public safety since day one,” he said, adding that he was saddened by the fake news.
The case is being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for posting any content that is either indecent, obscene, false, menacing or offensive in character with the intention to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person.
Earlier, the woman’s husband had pleaded with the public, NGOs as well as political parties to stop circulating pictures of his deceased wife.
A. Bakar Abd Rahman, 48, said the death of his wife, Marini Kasman, 38, was caused by heart failure and not air pollution in Pasir Gudang.
Marini’s death had sparked a social media frenzy after it was linked to the air pollution in Pasir Gudang.
Posters and video clips about the woman’s death have also been circulated via WhatsApp and Facebook.
Source: TheStar
