Criminal investigation department director Abd Jalil Hassan said a report of a WhatsApp message that had gone viral of Khairuddin supposedly being stopped at a roadblock in Perasing, Terengganu was uploaded onto Info Negara Kini’s website on May 28.

The posting that received 9,300 shares also included a photo of the minister and a woman, believed to be a female celebrity.

In a statement, Jalil said the investigation was carried out by the Bukit Aman D5 classified criminal investigation unit.

“So far we have recorded statements from 11 witnesses under Section 12 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” he said.

He said the investigation will continue to identify the party responsible for uploading the report and recording conversations of other individuals related to the case before it would then be referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) “for the next course of action”.

He also urged the public against making wild speculations and spreading rumours about the case.

In May, Sinar Harian reported that a WhatsApp message had gone viral of Khairuddin supposedly being stopped at the roadblock, with the text also alleging that the minister was in the car with celebrity Mawar Karim, the ex-wife of actor Fizo Omar.

However, in a Facebook post, the Kuala Nerus MP denied that he was arrested at a roadblock in Perasing, Kemaman, saying these “stories” were sensationalised and aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

“Legal action will be taken against any party found to have written, published or spread these false stories,” he said, adding that he was also not in a relationship with a celebrity.

Terengganu police chief Roslee Chik, meanwhile, had confirmed that Khairuddin was stopped and checked at a roadblock in Kemaman on May 16.