BUKIT MERTAJAM, Sept 14 — The issue of several MPs alleging that they had received pornographic video threats is now under police investigation, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), as the technical agency, will assist the police in their investigation.
“This matter is under PDRM investigation, and MCMC will assist as the technical agency. So PDRM is the lead agency. At this point, I have no further information,” he told the press after officiating the Community Day Programme and National Information Dissemination Centre (NaDi) Penanti at NaDi Penanti today.
Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and MCMC managing director Abdul Karim Fakir Ali.
Fahmi was commenting on news reports that former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli claimed he had received a pornographic video threat allegedly involving himself and another man, which was sent via an anonymous email on Friday (September 12).
The Pandan MP claimed the sender also demanded US$100,000 (RM420,590) from him to prevent the video from being spread, and that Subang MP Wong Chen also received a similar threat via email.
The latest victim of such video threats was Sungai Petani MP Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, who stressed that the video had been doctored using artificial intelligence technology with the intent of damaging his dignity and integrity.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the government views the incident seriously and has directed MCMC to work closely with PDRM to identify and track down the criminals who sent the blackmail email via Gmail (a Google company).
The Madani government will not compromise with any party that misuses technology and communication networks to threaten or deceive the people. All efforts will be mobilised to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice to safeguard public safety.
“The government emphasises that sending offensive communications with the intent to threaten is an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
“This act can also be investigated under Section 503 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both,” he said in a Facebook post, adding that he, too, received a similar email.
The minister said that checks revealed the email used almost identical wording and the same screenshots, and is believed to have been sent from the same email address.
Among the leaders who received the email were Wong Chen (Subang MP), Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (Sungai Petani MP), Adam Adli Abd Halim (Youth and Sports Deputy Minister), Najwan Halimi (Selangor state executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship), Senator Manolan Mohamad, Wong Chia Zen (Kulim state assemblyman), and Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah (Selangor state executive councillor for Islamic affairs and innovation).
