KUCHING: Sarawak police have debunked a viral Facebook post against deputy police commissioner Datuk Fisol Salleh and identified it as an act of defamation.
Sarawak CID chief SAC Lukas Aket explained that the post alleged that DCP Fisol was protecting gambling and smuggling syndicates as well as gangsters in the state.
The case is being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988.
“Our investigations found that the allegations were false and purely a defamatory statement against DCP Fisol.”
SAC Lukas spoke on the matter in a press conference after attending the handover of duties between outgoing Kuching police chief ACP Awang Din Awang Gani and acting police chief Supt Merbin Lisa here on Monday (May 10).
He added that police had also identified the individuals mentioned and those in the photo. In addition, several locations mentioned in the post were also being investigated.
“Although the suspect is believed to be using a pseudonym and fake Facebook account, we believe that the suspect will be identified through various tracking methods in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.”
The public are advised not to use social media as a platform to spread anything that is obscene, defamatory, untrue or slanderous.
This is an offense under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term not more than one year or both.