Ten remand cases of obstructing public servant recorded since MCO
Ten remand cases of obstructing public servants from carrying out their duties were recorded since the implementation of the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18, according to the Federal Court’s Chief Registrar’s Office.
In a media statement today, it said that the ten remand cases were those out of 14 recorded from March 19 until yesterday.
Ten remand cases of obstructing public servants from carrying out their duties were recorded since the implementation of the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18, according to the Federal Court’s chief registrar’s office.
In a media statement today, it said that the 10 remand cases were from 14 recorded from March 19 until yesterday.
It said the 10 remand cases were made under section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code in relation to the offence under section 186 of the Penal Code for obstruction of public servants from carrying out their duties.
Two of the cases have been brought to the Johor Bahru Magistrate’s Court and Sungai Siput Magistrate’s Court respectively.
“Both (accused in the cases) have been levied RM5,000 fine, and they each (face) 12 and 10 months in jail respectively if they fail to pay the fine,” it said.
It noted that the remainder remand cases are: one for an offence under section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation; two for an offence under section 509 of the Penal Code for uttering a word or making a gesture with intent to insult the modesty of a person.
It also includes as an offence under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person; and one for an offence under Regulation 3 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Local Infected Areas) Regulations 2020.
Regulation 3 states that a person may not make a journey from one area to another within a local infected area unless to perform an official duty, purchase/supply/deliver food or daily necessities or seek medical care, among others.
The breakdown of the 14 remand cases are: one each in Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Selangor; two in Federal Territory; three in Penang; three in Perak; and three in Kedah.
Three of the cases have been brought to court to be charged, with Johor, Perak and the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory each having registered one court case.
The chief registrar’s office said during the MCO period, the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court had meted out a two-month jail term each on two individuals after they pleaded guilty to an offence under section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his or her duty.
Meanwhile in a statement yesterday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it had recorded statement from five suspects over alleged spread of fake news over Covid-19 in Perak and Penang.
The MCMC said the suspects are probed under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, which specified maximum fine of RM50,000, or jail term up to one year, or both on conviction.
It said that as of March 23, the commission had received 43 cases from the public where 18 suspects have been identified.
“Six of them, including a celebrity, has been charged at court under section 505 (b) of the Penal Code, which carried a maximum jail term of two years, fine, or both if convicted.
“MCMC view seriously the irresponsible attitude of individuals or groups who spread fake news when the country is facing the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Initiating or spreading fake news is a criminal offence. MCMC and the police will monitor the situation and stern action will be taken on those involved in order to safeguard public order,” the MCMC said.
The commission said the public can check the veracity of Covid-19 related news by checking the portal Sebenarnya.my or its Telegram equivalent at https://t.me/sebenarnyamy.
It added that information on fake news on Covid-19 can also be sent to https://sebenarnya.my/salur/ portal as well as the application Sebenarnya.my.
Meanwhile, Bernama today reported Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah saying that, in collaboration with the police, the ministry has recorded the statements of five suspects who allegedly spread fake news on Covid-19.
He said the five suspects were in addition to the six people who were already charged for the offence.
"All the suspects were investigated under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
"The MCMC and the police will continue to work together through the Cyber Crime Committee to address the ongoing dissemination of fake news, especially on Covid-19, that can mislead and create anxiety among Malaysians," he said on his official Twitter page, #MalaysiaBebasCovid19.
Earlier, Saifuddin said whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause, or likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, could be charged under section 505 (b) of the Penal Code and face an imprisonment for up to two years, or fine, or both, if found guilty.
Whoever distributes content that is obscene, false and threatening to others, Saifuddin said the offence is punishable with fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both, under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
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