KUALA LUMPUR – Police are still hunting down the parties responsible for sharing a viral message on claims related to Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali and a woman.
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said a post titled “Khairuddin’s detention in Perasing, Terengganu, goes viral on WhatsApp” was uploaded to the Info Negara Kini website at 4.50pm on May 28.
The post, which saw some 9,300 “shares”, carried an image of PAS’ Kuala Nerus MP with a woman.
Jalil in a statement today said CID is investigating the matter, and 11 individuals have been called up to have their statements recorded under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which empowers police to examine witnesses.
“The investigation is ongoing to identify the party responsible for uploading the message, and to record the statements of other individuals related to the case.”
The investigation paper will be submitted to the attorney-general’s office upon completion.
Jalil advised the public against fuelling speculation and spreading news without first obtaining facts from official sources.
Disseminating false news on social media is an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, he said.
On May 29, Khairuddin in a Facebook post refuted the claims made against him, calling them “sensationalised”.
“All of the sensationalised claims about my supposed detention at a roadblock in Perasing, including rumours about my relationship with a female celebrity, are false and maliciously meant to harm my reputation.
“Any party discovered to have written, published or circulated fraudulent and untrue stories will face legal prosecution.”
Terengganu police chief Datuk Roslee Chik was earlier reported as saying the minister was stopped at a roadblock in Perasing on May 16.
“He was with a passenger at the time. The matter has been handed over to Bukit Aman CID’s Special Investigation Unit.”
On June 5, Utusan Malaysia reported CID deputy director (investigation and legal) Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri as saying Khairuddin’s statement will be taken at “an appropriate time”.
“We’ve opened an investigation paper, and we spoke to the police personnel first. Then, we will have to call in all involved for questioning.”
Khairuddin is no stranger to controversy.
In late May, he was linked to an approval to lease a parcel of Malaysian Rubber Board land at below the market rate.
He lodged a police report over the matter, saying the allegations are aimed at damaging his image.
In July last year, he faced public backlash for violating the mandatory home quarantine order upon his return from Sabah, and was fined RM1,000. – The Vibes, June 22, 2021
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