KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 — The Communications and Multimedia Ministry is mulling amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to address the spread of fake news.

Among the changes being considered include heftier penalties for those caught spreading unproven allegations, Malay daily Utusan Malaysia reported today.

"The Multimedia and Communications Act 1998 was enacted in 1998. With the advancement of the technology world, the Act is reviewable for the purpose of improvement.

"This is to ensure that the Act is in line with the current technology,” Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Jailani Johari was quoted saying.

But he also said emphasis on awareness campaigns should also be a continuous effort.

Malaysia is not the only country whose government is eyeing the spread of fake news as a threat.

British Prime Minister Theresa May was recently reported saying she wants to set up a new unit to tackle the spread of false news and prevent the incorrect dissemination of information by other countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron also announced during his election campaign that he wanted to introduce a new law that banned false news on the internet.