Bersatu man cries intimidation after MCMC knocks on door to deliver fine

Summary

• Hulu Langat Bersatu information chief Shafiq Abdul Halim criticises MCMC for sending a group of officers to his house earlier today

• He claims the officers, who came to deliver a letter, had caused alarm among his neighbours due to their large number.

• Shafiq denies MCMC's allegation that he had committed an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act in a TikTok post about the KL Tower concession issue.

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A Bersatu grassroots leader cried intimidation after a group of MCMC officers allegedly visited his house today to deliver a letter.

Shafiq Abdul Halim, who is Hulu Langat Bersatu information chief, said the group came to hand deliver the document which compelled him to settle a RM10,000 compound over an alleged offence.

However, he claimed, the three or four officers acted in a manner that could spark discomfort among his neighbours.

"The presence of law enforcement officers in a large number had created a perception that my house was being raided by the authorities, which caused alarm among neighbours.

"One of the MCMC officers was also seen taking photos during the visit, including inside my house and the neighbourhood, purportedly for documentation purposes.

"This action by MCMC can be interpreted as a form of intimidation that potentially creates fear among the public.

“These officers also refused to identify themselves and their ranks when requested, and only said they were ordered to deliver the letter by their superior," Shafiq said on Facebook.

Legal advice sought

According to the politician, the compound was over an alleged offence under Section 233(3) of the Communications and Multimedia Act, pertaining to a social media post on the Kuala Lumpur Tower concession issue.

He had allegedly started a grossly offensive communication with the intention to offend others in the video, which had since been taken down from TikTok.

Shafiq, however, denied the agency's allegation against him and claimed that he had provided all the relevant facts to investigators.

He further alleged that Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil could be behind the authority's latest action against him.

"I have also sought legal advice, and my lawyer is in the process of preparing an official letter to respond to the compound," he said.

AGC approved

Meanwhile, MCMC, in a statement, said the compound was imposed on Shafiq for publishing a "grossly offensive" content that touches on racial and religious sentiment.

It said the content was uploaded on TikTok on March 31 and discussed issues related to KL Tower employees.

"The action was taken after receiving permission from the Attorney-General's Chambers," the statement said.

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