CYBERJAYA, Oct 19 — A digital piracy team led by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has detained six men for operating satellite television service without licence in two raids in Kuala Lumpur and Seremban.

MCMC Network Security, Enforcement and Advocacy Sector head Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin said the suspects in their 30’s, comprised four Indian nationals and two locals.

Zulkarnain said the unlicensed service enabled subscribers nationwide to enjoy paid television broadcast from Videocon, India with more than 100 channels especially Bollywood films and programmes.

“The unlicensed service has been operating for three years and they attracted clients online via Facebook and by word of mouth,” he told reporters at MCMC here, today.

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He said the raid conducted was by police, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, Bank Negara and Attorney General’s Chambers as well as MCMC.

According to Zulkarnain, the raid was conducted on Friday (Oct 16) and today at its premises in Seremban and Kuala Lumpur which is the store for receiver dishes and decoders.

A total of 124 sets of Videocon brand decoders and parabolas worth RM120,000 were confiscated in the raid, he said.

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Commenting on the films shown on Videcon satellite television service, he did not rule out the possibility such movies were not approved by the Film Censorship Board for viewing.

“This may bring about negative influence to the local community,” he said, adding that the packages were offered by the unlicensed operator for between RM20 to RM50.

He said all the suspects were remanded and MCMC would conduct investigations under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for using non-standard devices and could be fined not more than RM100,000 or jail not more than two years or both upon conviction.

“If they were found committing other offences, the related agencies will enforce their respective acts,” he said. — Bernama