(March 5): Minister for Communications and Multimedia, Gobind Singh Deo today welcomed the stern action taken by police on those who insulted Prophet Muhammad and his wife on social media.

He reminded Malaysians that unity and public order of the country are of the utmost importance, as any action or activity found to affect racial harmony like those who criticise other religions or race would only hurt Malaysia's national security.

"Hence, stern action has to be taken against those who have committed such an offence," the Minister said in a statement today.

Earlier, Inspector General of Police Mohd Fuzi Harun said in a statement today that police had detained three people and are on the hunt for one more after they were alleged to have insulted Islam, Prophet Muhammad and his wife, Aisyah.

Bernama reported that one suspect was detained in Labuan on Sunday. The 29-year-old man is on remand until Thursday to assist in investigations.

“This suspect had made an insulting comment on the Facebook account named ‘Bakakuk’ and, as of today, the police have received 15 reports on it,” Fuzi said.

Fuzi added that the second suspect, a 22-year-old man, was detained in Bau, Sarawak, and is also on remand until Thursday.

Fuzi said the third suspect, a 52-year-old man, who used the Facebook account "Yazid Kong", was detained in Petaling Jaya yesterday and the application for his remand will be made today.

He said the fourth suspect, a 43-year-old man who made the offending comment on a Twitter account, is believed to be in Kuala Lumpur and the police are on the hunt for him.

Gobind said while the Government takes a serious view on the abuses on social media, it is in the process of amending existing laws to ensure the provisions on postings found to be threatening the unity and security of the country are handled more effectively.

"These include the laws and legislations to curb false information or news and postings found to be racially motivated which are to be handled quickly and effectively," he said.

"Let me emphasise here as the Government is preparing these amendments, the existing provisions under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and other existing laws are still in force and are still applicsble," he warned.

Gobind, who is also Puchong MP, said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, is also being stern and is assisting the authorities namely the police in handling the abuse of social media.

He said according to an MCMC report, between 2018 and 2019 a total of 47 investigation papers were opened regarding complaints on the abuse of social media and five people had been convicted and sentenced.

"A total of 2,358 technical assistance and the identification of information were rendered to assist in the investigations of the enforcement agencies and a total of 3,047 fake social media accounts found to be abused in spreading extremism, hatred and  slander and 1,163 accounts which contain similar postings were erased with the cooperation of the international social media platforms.

The Minister assured that whenever there is a complaint lodged, the MCMC would take immediate action under the law and if there is evidence to show there is a case, the investigation papers would be handed to the Attorney General Chambers for further action.