6 days ago
KL police seek Meta's help in actor defamation case
KUALA LUMPUR: City police will work with Meta Platforms Inc. to identify the individual behind a defamatory and provocative post targeting a popular male actor and singer.
Acting Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said the identity of the social media account owner remains unknown.
"I have instructed our investigating officers to contact Meta Platforms Inc. in Singapore to help trace the individual behind the Threads account.
"We will also seek assistance from the Cyber Division of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) to trace the IP address of the account owner," he said when met at the City police headquarters today.
He said investigations were still ongoing, and statements have been recorded from four witnesses.
It was reported on July 21 that police received a report from a local actor and singer over an alleged defamatory and provocative social media post made on the 'Threads' platform.
The post is claimed to have damaged the complainant's reputation.
The report was lodged at 4.12pm on July 18, involving a post by a social media account that allegedly contained slanderous, provocative, and seditious elements.
Usuf was quoted as saying the post was made publicly and is believed to have the potential to tarnish the complainant's image and reputation.
The case is being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which covers the misuse of network facilities.
Those convicted under Section 500 could be liable for a maximum of two years' jail, a fine, or both.
Section 233 stipulates a maximum fine of RM500,000 or two years' jail or both if found guilty, as well as a further fine of RM5,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.
Usuf also confirmed that the case was not related to the ongoing investigation involving local artiste Shila Amzah.
