MCMC warns against sharing Kuching school violence footage involving teen, cautions of legal action

PUTRAJAYA, October 22 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is urging people who have posted or shared footage of a violent incident at a school in Kuching, Sarawak, to delete the content immediately. In a statement released today, the Commission highlighted that sharing videos showing acts of violence, especially those involving minors, infringes upon the privacy and dignity of those affected and can cause emotional distress to the individuals and their families.

The Commission cautioned that publishing the identities of children might breach Section 15 of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611). "Sharing such material may also lead to legal action under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) if it contravenes the law," the statement added. The MCMC is currently working with social media platforms to stop the spread of the footage, including removing the offending content.

The Commission advises the public, including journalists, not to upload, share, or further distribute the video of the incident. "The public is reminded not to circulate such content, to safeguard the child's privacy and prevent hindering the authorities' investigation," the statement concluded.