The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will investigate the spread of a false statement by attorney-general Apandi Ali against Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz which was said to have been uploaded on a local news portal.

Head of the MCMC Network Security, Enforcement and Advocacy Sector Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin stressed that the party responsible for spreading the false news would be prosecuted.

He said those committing the offence could be punished under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

"Do not ever spread any news whose validity has yet to be ascertained. This is because such act can lead to undesired developments.

"The MCMC wishes to advise the people against being influenced by the contents carried by the social media," he said in the MCMC Facebook account, without referring to any specific statement.

- Bernama