PUTRAJAYA, Feb 13 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is monitoring 50 social media accounts to assist investigations into the spread of false narratives and 3R (religion, race and royalty)-related content following a crash in Selangor.
It said the matter was being viewed seriously as the content had been manipulated to incite racial tension and jeopardise public harmony.
“MCMC’s analysis detected elements of coordinated inauthentic behaviour (CIB), where identical content was repeatedly disseminated on Facebook and TikTok within a short period to manipulate public perception.
"Sensational narratives and exaggerated, racially charged labelling are serious and have the potential to threaten public order. So far, 40 Facebook and 10 TikTok accounts are being examined to assist investigations,” MCMC said in a statement.
An official statement by the Selangor police confirmed that the incident stemmed from a personal misunderstanding involving land and access issues, and did not involve elements of gangsterism or racism.
“Therefore, any attempt to link the incident to 3R is irresponsible and misleading,” it said.
The commission stressed that it would not compromise with the dissemination of false or hate-inciting content.
Investigations were ongoing, and strict action would be taken under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) if any legal breaches were found.
Section 233(1)(a) of Act 588 prohibits the dissemination or publication of content that is false, threatening or grossly offensive with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass others.
