KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is scrutinising a news report by a local television channel which claimed that the number of civil servants will be reduced.

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the result of an initial evaluation of the matter found that the party involved had on several occasions produced news items that are seen as not complying with some rules and laws.

As such, he has handed the matter over to the MCMC and relevant authorities if they wished to investigate the parties involved based on the existing provisions of the law.

"However, to me, what is important is the difference between publishing news and slander... the right of the media to freely carry out its duty exists and we defend it. But that doesn’t mean they have the right to publish items that are not true or slanderous.

"... the MCMC will inform me soon of the status (of the investigation). So, we will wait first (for) the result of the report from MCMC,” he told reporters after the launch of the ‘Jelajah Saya Digital @ Lembah Pantai’ programme, here, today.

Yesterday, Fahmi tweeted that the government vehemently denied allegations contained in Awesome TV's news programme Berita 757 that there are ‘observers’ who have proposed that the number of civil servants is reduced.

He also urged Berita 757 to explain the idea and proposal, which he described as "ridiculous”.

As such, he reminded all parties to be cautious in publishing news items, not to just report news, so that they are not defamatory and violate existing laws.

Commenting on the Auditor-General’s Report 2021 on the issues of leakages and funding in the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), Fahmi said he had met the corporation’s management team, including its chief executive officer.

He said the meeting was held to allow him to have a deeper understanding of why the incident occurred and the follow-up actions that need to be taken to avoid a recurrence.

"... for example, the FINAS board of directors cannot receive any grant or benefit from FINAS in terms of their career.

"So, we are discussing what amendments need to be made to the FINAS Act so that board members can function better, understand the development of the filming industry and, at the same time, still be an attraction to contribute to the development of the film industry,” he said.

On Jan 19, Fahmi was reported to have said that his ministry would appoint a new chairman and board members to resolve issues faced by FINAS regarding the audit’s report of leakages and funding linked to the corporation. — Bernama