KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — The authorities must investigate the authenticity of a document allegedly containing minutes of a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting that went viral on social media, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
If the document is found to be genuine and classified, its dissemination could have legal implications, especially under the Official Secrets Act 1972.
“I have been informed that a police report has been lodged. I cannot confirm whether the document is authentic or not. But if it is indeed genuine and classified, the Act would apply. Therefore, we must be cautious and avoid spreading such material.
“We leave it to the police to investigate. As of now, I have no further information,” he told a press conference after officiating the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM) YOU & AI: MEET@BANGSAR programme today.
Also present were Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry) Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute (IPPTAR) director Roslan Ariffin, and IPRM president Jaffri Amin.
Excerpts of the purported JAC meeting minutes, allegedly held in May, began circulating on social media yesterday. It is believed to have first appeared on Reddit before spreading to Facebook and to X (formerly Twitter).
Fahmi also reminded media practitioners to remain vigilant and to comply with existing laws when reporting news.
When asked whether the issue would be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting, the Madani government spokesperson said it would be at the discretion of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The Prime Minister is always attentive to matters of public interest, so there is a possibility it will be discussed,” he said.
Regarding the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s measures for circulating the document online, Fahmi said that any action would be based on public complaints, while decisions to remove the content would remain with the respective platform operators.
— Bernama
