Without naming the portal, Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Isa said the authorities launched a probe after a police report was lodged over the article.

“The case is being investigated under Section 505 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,” he said in a statement.

Section 505 deals with statements made with the intent to cause fear or alarm to the public.

Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, meanwhile, prohibits the use of network facilities to transmit communications deemed offensive or likely to cause annoyance to another person.

Rusdi also advised the public against speculating about the matter and warned that stern action would be taken against any individual sharing unverified news on social media.

Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain dismissed Malaysiakini’s report that Ayob and Shuhaily would be transferred out of the force to head different departments.