A TEACHER has become the first person in Malaysia to be charged in court for spreading false information through WhatsApp.

Rafeah Buang, 36, pleaded not guilty before judge Awang Krisnada Awang Mahmud at the Tawau Sessions Court today on a charge of knowingly making and initiating false communications via WhatsApp with the intention of annoying others three years ago.

According to the charge, Rafeah, who served in a government department in Semporna, Sabah, was charged with transmitting false communications to the WhatsApp KARPET KEMAS 189-SEMPORNA group at 1pm on December 11, 2014, at Semporna Hospital.

Rafaeh allegedly sent an alert to the group about a black vehicle, citing its registration number, allegedly belonging to a rapist, and told them to spread the word to family and friends.

Rafaeh was alleged to have committed the offense under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or a maximum imprisonment of one year or both and a further fine of RM1,000 for each day the offense continues after conviction.

The case was prosecuted by Communications and Multimedia Commission deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sophian Zakaria.

Awang Krisnada allowed RM2,500 bail. 

The judge also set the mention of the case for January 31. – Bernama, November 28, 2017.