'This will cause fear': Social media users urged to stop sharing fake news of Johor mall bomb threat

KULAI — Social media users are urged to refrain from sharing unverified information that will lead to public unrest, especially regarding an alleged bomb threat to a shopping mall and hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia's Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said.

The Straits Times reported on Saturday (Oct 14) that Mid Valley Southkey's management received a phone call at around 6pm from a man who threatened to put a bomb in the mall.

Teo added that following the incident, some social media pages shared false information "confirming" that bombs were found, which further stirred fear among the people.

"We saw some social media pages making the claims before getting accurate information from the authorities," she said.

"The police have said that there were no bombs found, yet the pages said otherwise."

She added: "This is fake news that should not have made it out (in the first place) as this will cause fear and unrest among the people."

"Social media page handlers should stop creating their own information just to get high engagement," she told reporters before a walkabout at a morning market in Indahpura on Sunday.

Teo, who is also Kulai MP, said her ministry would co-operate with the police to investigate irresponsible parties who spread such information.

"We are not taking the matter lightly as it is quite serious," she added.

"If you are not sure about the information, do not share."

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the mall and hotel in Southkey are safe to visit.

"The whole area has been swept by the police's bomb and K-9 units. Thankfully no suspicious objects were found and the place has been deemed safe to operate as usual," he added.

A check by The Star showed that as at noon on Sunday, many people were seen visiting the mall to shop and dine, with businesses operating as usual.

Many Singapore-registered cars were also seen at the mall as it is popular with tourists too.

It was understood that a popular Johor-based Facebook page shared a post claiming that "the police confirmed that eight bombs were found in and around the mall premises" after the incident.

After receiving the mall's report on Saturday, Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said 92 officers and policemen were deployed to the location five minutes later, including two K-9 units, as well as the Fire and Rescue Department.

"As at 11.30pm, we covered all grounds at both locations and have not found any suspicious objects, and the mall and hotel are safe to operate as usual.

"The police were still at the location to conduct further surveillance, and so far no casualties have been reported," he added.

The case is being investigated under Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation by anonymous communication, with those convicted facing a jail term of up to seven years.

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On Saturday evening, several videos on social media showed people rushing to evacuate the mall while the sound of an alarm could be heard in the background.

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ALSO READ: Alleged bomb scare at Johor’s Mid Valley Southkey mall: 9,000 shoppers evacuated and 100m-wide cordon imposed

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