KUALA LUMPUR: Two China Press publications editors have had their statements recorded over issues in connection with social media postings regarding the King’s recent Royal Address in Parliament.
Federal police Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said the China Press editor-in-chief and a sub-editor were questioned about 1pm today.
He said the investigation was initiated after a post uploaded on the official China Press Facebook account was found to have inaccurately translated the speech delivered by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
“On Jan 19, it was detected that a post uploaded on the official China Press Facebook account displayed an incorrect translation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s royal address during the opening of Parliament,” he said in a statement today.
Kumar said the case is being investigated by the Classified Crime Investigation Unit (USJT) of Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Section 505(b) of the Penal Code relates to statements conducing to public mischief, with the intention to cause or which are likely to cause public fear or alarm, and carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Meanwhile, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 involves the improper use of network facilities or network services, which upon conviction carries a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.
“Investigations are still ongoing and the public is reminded not to make any speculation regarding this case while police complete investigation,” said Kumar.
The erroneous Facebook post drew public attention and complaints on social media.
The matter was then referred to the police for investigation to determine whether any offence had been committed under existing laws.
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