FIFTY-ONE cases of fake news have been investigated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission since last year.

“There were 641 reports lodged on fake news between 2018 and 2019. Of these, MCMC started investigations into 51 cases,” said the Communications and Multimedia Ministry in a written reply to a parliamentary question on Tuesday.

“Five of the cases resulted in prosecution, and the perpetrators have been punished.”

Wong Shu Qi (Kluang-PH) had asked about the government’s efforts to tackle fake news.

The ministry said currently, there are 130 government agencies and companies in a joint committee tasked with monitoring the spread of fake news in the country.

Pakatan Harapan is planning a fresh attempt to repeal the Anti-Fake News Act after its efforts were thwarted last year.

Parliament had approved the repeal, but the opposition-held Senate struck it down a month later.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said the government will have a second go at repealing the act.

The act was introduced by the previous Barisan Nasional administration last year. – July 11, 2019.