PMO: WhatsApp audio recording on Rosmah’s expenditures ‘fake news’

(Bernama) – The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has strongly denied claims made in an audio recording about the Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor which has been making its rounds via the WhatsApp mobile application.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the PMO said an individual had come out with the baseless accusations over the government’s spending involving Rosmah, in the recording.

“The Prime Minister’s Office denies the wild and baseless allegations made by the individual. The act of the individual is clearly politically-motivated to incite the people.

“Now, spread of false news and slander are becoming rampant on social media including mobile applications such as WhatsApp and Telegram, especially ahead of the 14th General Election,” it said.

The PMO said the individual had, in the recording, claimed that the government had forked out a lot for Rosmah’s birthday cake and the cost of installing two closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at her office in Putrajaya.

The individual also claimed that the source was a colleague who was serving at the Finance Ministry, and part from the baseless claims, there was another that  Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection amounting to RM70.1 million of one particular day was stolen and not found in the Treasury, it said.

As such, the PMO advised the public to use their judgement to evaluate and check the authenticity of any  news before falling prey to such news and lies, which are disseminated by irresponsibility parties for their personal or political gain.

The PMO said those who are  involved in the fabrication and dissemination of false news could be investigated under the Anti-Fake News Act 2018, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment not more than six years or both, upon conviction.