KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will open an investigation paper to probe Awesome TV for allegedly violating its licensing terms.
In a statement today, the body said that it had met with management officials from the television channel yesterday to obtain their explanation on its report claiming that the government would downsize the civil service.
Following the meeting, MCMC said that an investigation paper will be opened under Section 206 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 on compliance with licence conditions.
“Once the investigation paper has been completed, it will be submitted to the deputy public prosecutor for further decision.
“If convicted, the offender may be punished as provided under Section 242 (of the act) which allows for a fine not exceeding RM100,000, imprisonment for a period of no more than two years, or both,” the statement read.
On February 18, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that he had referred Awesome TV and its news segment Berita 7:57 to MCMC for further investigation over its report concerning the nation’s civil service.
The Lembah Pantai MP also reminded media practitioners to be cautious about regurgitating slanderous content, warning that doing so could affect racial harmony and violate the nation’s laws.
The report cited an “observer” who claimed that the government planned to trim down the civil service.
The news segment had previously courted controversy when it aired ostensibly racist content urging Malay voters to cast their ballots in full force during the 15th general election to prevent political power from falling into non-Malay hands.
The channel had subsequently stood by the report, with a senior official claiming that the bulletins were “based on research”. – The Vibes, February 21, 2023
