Police are investigating a Facebook account which contained threats to assassinate Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and other cabinet members.

Malay tabloid Harian Metro reported that a police officer had filed a report with the Johor Bahru Selatan district police headquarters this afternoon.

The status on the Facebook page, which contained the threats, is believed to have been posted by the account’s owner, identified as one Nurul Nizam, at 10.45pm last night.

The daily stated that Johor Bahru Selatan district police chief Assistant Commissioner Sulaiman Salleh confirmed that a report was lodged.

According to him, the case is being investigated under Section 507 of the Penal Code.

Section 507 concerns criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication, which upon conviction carries a two-year jail term.