MCMC said any individual or party found to be disseminating “fake news” may be liable for action under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for improper use of network facilities or network service.
“In this regard, the public is reminded not to share, distribute, upload or trust any form of content that has not yet been verified. Instead, refer the matter to the authorities or official sources,” it said in a statement.
The EPF building that overlooks the Federal Highway caught fire today, with flames and thick smoke coming from its upper floors.
Videos of the fire and comments flooded social media, especially through WhatsApp.
The 58-year-old building is a familiar landmark for tens of thousands of motorists using the busy highway.
The original building with its aluminium-grille facade underwent a facelift several years ago to reflect the retirement fund’s corporate image.
Messages on WhatsApp and other social media platforms have been spreading “fake news” pertaining to the cause of the fire, loss of records and “threats” to other government financial bodies.
The EPF has given an assurance that the data of members was never in any danger of being compromised by the fire as its data servers were in a secured remote location and “supported by world-class back-up and recovery procedures”.
The fire was believed to have been caused by sparks during maintenance work on the first floor on the outside of the building
Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (operations) Soiman Jahid said an inflammable polyfoam was used as cladding for the building structure and this hastened the spread of the fire.
The damage was mainly restricted to the exterior of the building and some cars parked alongside it.