Bersatu man denies stoking racial, religious sentiments on TikTok
Hulu Langat Bersatu information chief Shafiq Abdul Halim said his lawyer was preparing an official response to MCMC's letter fining him RM10,000. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : Bersatu's Hulu Langat information chief Shafiq Abdul Halim has denied stoking racial and religious sentiments, following a RM10,000 fine imposed on him by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
In a statement posted on his Facebook page today, Shafiq criticised MCMC for sending four officials to his residence 'merely' to notify him of the fine.
'The presence of enforcement officials in numbers created the impression that my residence was being raided, causing worry among my neighbours.
'An MCMC official was also seen taking pictures for what he said was documentation purposes, without giving a clear explanation why,' he claimed.
Shafiq said the officials' presence could be seen as a form of intimidation to create fear.
'The officials also did not identify themselves or state their positions when asked, but only said they were messengers acting on higher orders.
'The compound notice letter given to me was not accompanied by a clear explanation as to the basis of the alleged offence,' he said.
MCMC said in a statement this evening that the fine was for posting offensive and extreme content involving racial and religious sentiments related to the KL Tower workers issue on TikTok on March 31.
The commission said it had received permission from the Attorney-General's Chambers to issue the fine, following investigations into Shafiq under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.
Shafiq said in conducting their investigations, MCMC officials had asked him whether he had received orders from Bersatu's top leadership on the matter or received payment from any party.
'I strongly deny all of MCMC's accusations, given that I have already presented the relevant facts I referenced (in my post) to the investigating officials,' he said.
Shafiq said he had received legal advice on the matter and his lawyer was preparing an official response to MCMC's letter.
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