“I want to warn, although you delete a posting, the police can still investigate and take action,” he said at a press conference here today.

“Recently, one individual posted fake news, apologised and deleted it, but the individual was still called in to give a statement,” he added.

To date, Ismail said, the police and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission have opened 217 investigation papers on fake news regarding Covid-19, with 162 cases still under investigation.

“Some 23 people have been charged in court with four pleading guilty,” he added.

On a separate matter, he said the prices of some 25 items will be monitored by the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry throughout the MCO, including sugar, cooking oil, white bread, rice, chicken, vegetables, eggs, hand sanitiser and toilet paper.

“I wish to reiterate that there is sufficient supply of food and essentials. There is no reason to resort to panic buying,” he said.

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