Do not make prejudgement on WSJ, IMDB issues - Jailani

Users of social networking sites are reminded not to spread lies and baseless allegations with regards to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issues.

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said the ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), would not hesitate to take stern action against anyone who tries to do so.

"I hope people will not make any kind of prejudgment or act like a 'wolf in a sheep's clothing' on this issue by saying this person is guilty and that one is not.

"It is best for us just to wait for the outcome of the investigation conducted by the special task force established for the purpose, and I believe that the team will carry out the investigation in a transparent manner," he told a press conference after presenting compassionate aid under the Agrofood Flood Disaster Relief Fund here, today.

Jailani said the social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp, were not the right medium to advise or reprimand a leader.

"Ideally, we should meet and discuss the matter properly and not use these applications on social websites. We all have brain, we should be able to judge for ourselves what's right and wrong, and rather than making assumptions, we should continue to trust the current leadership.

"To those spreading the lies, I would like to stress that the MCMC will not hesitate to take action against them," he said.

In another development, Jailani said the Commission was in the midst of investigating the illegal installation of satellite dishes which was reported to be rampant in several locations.

"We are serious on this and will not allow any unauthorised quarters to install satellite dishes for personal use, which we found were brought in from neighbouring countries.

"Providing and installing a satellite dish without MCMC approval is an offence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998," he added.