“We have summoned Meta because many of these fake accounts are particularly found on Facebook, although they also exist on other platforms such as TikTok and Instagram,” said Fahmi.

He said he had reprimanded Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram), “but they seem to show no respect for the institution of the Malay rulers”.

He expressed disappointment with “Meta’s failure to understand that the Malay rulers are a very important institution enshrined in the Federal Constitution” who must be respected by all, including international platforms such as Facebook.

“I regard legal action as the last option, but we are already close to that,” Bernama quoted him as saying in Ayer Keroh, Melaka today.

Fahmi said the measures being examined include legal action under the Online Safety Act, which is expected to be gazetted soon.

The Act provides for fines of up to RM1 million, daily fines of RM100,000, in addition to penalties that can reach RM10 million, he said.

Yesterday, Fahmi said 15,296 fake accounts using the names of 26 members of royalty were identified this year.

The names used included Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.

Fahmi said social media platform providers have taken down 14,750 of these accounts.