It seems like Malaysians need to learn the hard way to finally stop spreading fake news.
Recently, a video of a woman collapsing inside a gadget store was circulated across social media with people claiming that she was the first Malaysian to be infected by the coronavirus.
Photo: Berita Harian
According to her father, Norazlan, his 20-year-old daughter, Nur Izzah Izzati had just gotten back from a friend’s engagement at Sungai Pinang when she decided to go to a gadget store in Section 13, Shah Alam where she worked.
A friend of Nur Izzah soon realized that she had passed out and immediately called her father. After checking her pulse, she was immediately rushed to the hospital.
Sadly, Nur Izzah died while the doctor was attending to her.
Norazlan is devastated not only for the death of his daughter but for the many Malaysians who linked her cause of death to the deadly coronavirus.
“The video of my daughter collapsing in the store is constantly being shared on social media by the public,” he said in an interview with Berita Harian.
"My daughter did not die because of a coronavirus. That's not true. My family is disappointed with the actions of those who disseminated false information without checking the sources,” he added.
"So, for those who don't know anything, stop spreading the video saying that she died because of the coronavirus and stop making any accusations.”
Norazlan also thanked those who wished him and the family well during this difficult time.
“The whole of Malaysia knows of the video. Many on Facebook have sent their condolences to our family and we are grateful but at the same time we hope that the video would be deleted to protect the honour our daughter,” he said.
Nur Izzah is the youngest of two siblings and was the closest to her father.
Photo: Berita Harian
Our condolences go out to Norazlan and his family for their tragic loss. As for those who are still thinking about spreading fake news, just remember that under Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia 1998, if found guilty, you risk facing a maximum fine of RM50,000 or one-year jail time, or both.
By: Siti Farhana Sheikh Yahya
