Hong Kong actress Grace Lam has incurred the wrath of MCA, which condenmed her over a fake video depicting her being robbed in Bentong, Pahang, the parliamentary constituency of party president Liow Tiong Lai.

In a media statement, the MCA presidential council, which met this morning, said Lam as a public figure had set a bad example.

“By doing so, she had caused the image and reputation of Bentong and Malaysia to be tarnished. Although she has apologised, it had not served to repair the damage she had caused, again showing her integrity to be diminished as well.

“Local Malaysians are not spared from the relevant laws if they create fake news to gain political mileage, and the same must apply to foreigners who violate these laws and norms of decency. At the same time, MCA also urges the people to remain vigilant against fake news,” it added.

The council rued that the irresponsible actions of certain parties to create fake news about criminal activities were unfair to the hardworking enforcement authorities.

As for Lam, the council said the immigration department should deliberate on whether to impose a travel ban on her based on the Immigration Act.

“All relevant enforcement authorities must conduct a thorough investigation, including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), to stem the continuing spreading of unfounded rumours on social media.

“The immigration department, which has the authority to probe under the Immigration Act, should deliberate as to whether to bar Lam's entry or not. The police should likewise investigate her for criminal defamation and so on,” it added.

Meanwhile, the MCA president expressed support for inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar to list Lam as an unwelcome individual in Malaysia.

“Blacklisting her would be the correct move to make,” said Liow.

On Saturday, Lam was using the live streaming function on Facebook in Bentong, when a man suddenly snatched her handbag.

She allegedly told a Hong Kong newspaper that her manager and local friend gave chase and retrieved her belongings.

However, she later apologised on her Facebook, saying it was a “misunderstanding” but did not clarify further.

Her Malaysian friend later confirmed that the snatch theft was orchestrated.

Sharing his views on the matter in a Facebook post, PKR assemblyperson Chang Lih Kang said instead of banning the actress from entering Malaysia, the government and police should take appropriate steps to tackle crime.