With the ordinance, he said police would not have to apply for an order to investigate (OTI), which previously took a long time for approval.

“There is actually a team that monitors whatever is posted on social media for 24 hours (a day),” he told reporters here today. “We will try to detect posts that we have categorised as fake news, which is aimed at provoking anxiety, public uproar and anger.

“I welcome the government’s decision as such offences no longer require the police to obtain an OTI.”

He said without having to apply for an OTI, spreading fake news was now an offence that people could commonly get arrested for.

“The ordinance gives the police the power (to take swift action).

“All this while, many people were angry at the police for allegedly not taking action or being slow to take action against those who circulated fake news.”

Those who create, publish or distribute fake news will face a fine of up to RM100,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both, under the Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance 2021.

Should they fail to apologise after being ordered to do so by the court, they can be fined an additional RM50,000, while those who pay to “create” such news can be fined up to RM500,000. All fines come with jail terms.

On a separate matter, Hamid said 330 people were arrested and issued the new RM10,000 compound fine, which came into effect yesterday.

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