It Officer Charged With Spreading Fake News About Congestion At Ppv

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Inderpal Singh Devgun at the Ipoh Sessions Court. - Pic courtesy of NST reader.IPOH: An information technology officer was charged at the Sessions Court here today with spreading fake news regarding the congestion at the Stadium Indera Mulia vaccination centre (PPV) and linking it with Tabung Haji.
The accused, Inderpal Singh Devgun, 44, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him before judge, Norashima Khalid.
According to the charge sheet, Inderpal was accused of using the Tik Tok application under the 'Blackfitt' account profile with the intention of causing concern to the public by spreading false news saying; "Those with appointments, they are not allowed to go in or difficult to go in for the second dose for vaccination. Apparently today, about 800 people from Tabung Haji have been given vaccinations without appointments."
Inderpal uploaded the content at 2.53pm on May 21 this year, and was seen at the Stadium Indera Mulia PPV at 3pm, the same day.
He was charged under Section 4(1) of the Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) (No 2) 2021.
If convicted, he can be fined not more than RM100,000 or imprisoned for up to three years or both, and in the case of a continuing offence, the accused can be further fined not more than RM1,000 for each day the offence continues.
Deputy Public Prosecutor, Fazrul Shihar Abu Samah prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyer, Collin Arvind Andrew.
During mitigation, Fazrul Shihar asked the court to set bail at RM10,000, while Collin requested for a lower bail of RM5,000.
Norashima set bail at RM9,000 with one surety and fixed Aug 27 for mention.
On May 23, the Perak Health Department denied any vaccination queue jumping involving Haj pilgrims at the Indera Mulia Stadium vaccination centre (PPV), causing it to be congested on May 21.
Its director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming said there were 799 people who turned up at the PPV without an appointment with their respective companions which caused a congestion.
"These people failed to show up on their actual appointment day set by MySejahtera and came there to try and get vaccinated without a new appointment date, following the implementation of the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) in Hulu Kinta district," she said in a statement. - FMT

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