A total of 227 cases involving misuse of new media, including social media, websites and blogs, were investigated from January last year to July this year.

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Jailani Johari said, out of the total, 19 cases were compounded and eight were prosecuted and convicted.

"This year alone, action was taken against 75 percent out of the 2,000 fake accounts, including blocking and closing the accounts while the rest are still under investigation.

“For the closure of fake accounts, it has to be reported to the social media service providers that are mostly abroad such as Facebook and Twitter based on violations of the terms and conditions set by them,” he told the Dewan Negara sitting here today.

He was replying to a question from Senator Zali Mat Yasin, who wanted to know the number and statistics on individuals or groups who had been subjected to legal action. 

- Bernama