Action will be taken if TMI breaks the law, says minister

Faridah is TMI editor-in-chief Jahabar Saddiq’s sister, and wife of attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali.

(FMT) – The Communications and Multimedia Ministry will take the necessary action against news portals accused of insulting the country’s leaders.

Minister Salleh Said Keruak said action could be taken against them if they had broken the law.

“We have received reports regarding the allegations against The Malaysian Insight (TMI).

“We will investigate and submit a report to the relevant authorities for further action,” he said.

Penang delegate Mohd Nashrol Hisham Abdullah, who is Tasek Gelugor Umno Youth chief, was reported to have accused TMI of attacking and insulting the Umno leadership and Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Speaking during the debate at the Umno general assembly today, Nashrol also asked the authorities to investigate TMI’s alleged owner Faridah Begum.

Faridah is TMI editor-in-chief Jahabar Saddiq’s sister, and wife of attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali.

Meanwhile, DAP Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said Umno delegates must realise that in this digital age, information was not easily concealed.

“The social media is discussing the 1MDB related scandals alleging links to Umno leaders.

“Does Nashrol want other news portals such as Malaysiakini and FMT, or perhaps Facebook and Twitter as well, to be probed by the authorities?

“He and all Umno delegates must acknowledge that nothing can be easily hidden in this internet age and the truth will always come out,” said Lim.