KUCHING: The widespread dissemination of fake news on social media regarding the health of Governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has prompted Astana officials to lodge a police report at the Gita police station yesterday.
The Head of State’s press secretary Peter Sibon and several other officials lodged the report following a WhatsApp message on Thursday (June 22) claiming that Taib was in an induced coma at the Sarawak General Hospital.
The misleading message created a wave of uncertainty among the public and triggered inquiries from concerned citizens and the media. The message read, “Information just received, the white hair of Sarawak is under induced coma in Sarawak General Hospital, expect a public holiday soon.”
Upon receiving the message, journalists and news outlets swiftly launched investigations to verify the authenticity of the information, Peter said. He added that he would leave it to the police to identify and investigate the origin and source of the fake news.
“If the culprits are identified, they will be charged under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,” he added.
State protocol officer to the Governor Hamka Mohamad, chief security officer of the Astata Zaim Kamaruzzaman and administrative officer of the Astana Ratmawati Sabil accompanied Peter to the police station.
