MCMC to probe Facebook accounts selling firearms

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will investigate a report which claimed two Facebook accounts were offering firearms for sale.

Communication and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Kamaruddin Siaraf said the ministry viewed seriously the report.

"MCMC will investigate the matter under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. If there is any breach of the law, MCMC will take follow-up action, including forwarding the investigation papers to the public prosecutor's office," he told reporters when met after the ministry's Aidilfitri programme in Kuching, Tuesday.

He said this when asked to comment a Bernama report on Monday on two Facebook accounts found to be selling firearms openly in Malaysia.

One of the accounts claimed to offer a range of pistols, revolvers and assault rifles for between RM500 and RM15,000.

The list of weapons for sale on the account included AK-47 assault rifles, at RM12,000, Smith & Wesson pistols at RM500, and revolvers with two boxes of ammunition at RM15,000.

The other declared that it could offer about 10 types of firearms, among them E&C M16A4, Tercel M1911 airsoft gun and S&T Mosin Nagant Gas Rifle (Real Wood) for between RM600 and RM1,250, resembling real weapons.

This Facebook account which was opened in February received '688 likes' and showed 141 browsers having an ongoing discussion on the weapons.

In another development, Kamaruddin said the ministry received positive feedback on the proposal for the national anthem to be played in cinemas before the screening of a movie in conjunction with this year's Merdeka (Independence Day) celebration.

"Several cinema chains, including Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), had expressed their willingness to play the national anthem," he added.

Besides the national anthem, Kamaruddin said the ministry was also planning to provide a short-video clip on the sacrifices by members of the security forces in defending the country to be screened in cinemas.

On Aug 16, Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek suggested that the national anthem be played in cinemas to commemorate Merdeka Day, which falls on Aug 31, and also Malaysia Day, on Sept 16.