China Press given show cause letter

(Bernama) – The Home Ministry today issued a show cause letter to China Press over its exclusive report that Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan had handed in his resignation letter.

“The report has been verified to be not true,” the ministry said in a statement here.

It added that China Press had been given seven days to give a written reply to the show cause letter which was issued under Section 8A of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (Act 301).

Under the act, action can be taken against those responsible for publishing false news including the printer, publisher, editor and the writer.

If convicted, offenders are liable to be jailed not more than three year or fined not exceeding RM20,000 or both.

The news report published today had said that Musa would retire on Police Day on March 25 and would be succeeded by his deputy, Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

Quoting a source, the report further said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had received the letter.

Musa and Hishammuddin today had denied any truth in the report.