In a statement, the commission said sharing such content online could be an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which deals with improper use of network facilities.

The offence is punishable by a fine not exceeding RM50,000, imprisonment of up to a year, or both, upon conviction.

The MCMC added that it was working with the police and service providers to remove any content that could affect the investigation into the case or cause emotional harm to the victim.

It also reminded media outlets to report the case responsibly and avoid publishing sensational material that could reveal the victim’s identity.

Doing so would violate Section 15 of the Child Act 2001, which bans the publication of any detail that may identify a child victim.

Four Form 5 students are under remand until Oct 16 over the gang rape of the female student in a classroom at their school in Alor Gajah, Melaka.

Two of the suspects reportedly committed the offence on the 15-year-old victim at about 2.50pm on Oct 2, while the other two watched and recorded the incident with their handphones.