THE police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) have detained another four people, alleged to have spread fake news on the Novel coronavirus outbreak.

“Today, we detained a suspect in Kedah, another in Pahang and two more in Malacca.

“The cops and the MCMC made the arrest and all suspects will have their statements recorded,” said a statement released by the MCMC.

It is understood that in Kedah, a 49-year-old man was arrested at noon for uploading false information about the virus on his Facebook account on January 25.

Two pharmacists, aged 25 and 30, were later detained in Peringgit and Merlimau in Malacca at about 4pm for the same offence.

Both had used Facebook to disseminate wrong information on the disease on Facebook on January 26.

Meanwhile, a 24-year-old university student was apprehended in Kuantan at 4.15pm.

Four smartphones and five SIM cards were seized from the four, and the authorities also confiscated two memory cards that were allegedly used.

The case is being investigated under Section 223 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, up to one year in prison or both upon conviction.

Yesterday, a 34-year-old man was detained in connection with spreading fake news on the coronavirus in Bangi around 4pm.

“The suspect was detained for spreading false information on January 26 regarding the virus.

“The suspect’s mobile phone and SIM card, believed to have been used to upload the news on Facebook, were also seized,” the commission said in a statement early this morning. – January 29, 2020.