The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) have opened 249 investigation papers on the spread of COVID-19 fake news.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said out of the total, 169 cases were still under investigation while 26 had been indicted in court with 15 pleading guilty.

"In addition, the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) Quick Response Team (PRP) has also made 243 false news denials since it began operations on March 24.

"The PRP was established to help curb the spread of fake news related to COVID-19.

" Provide information to the PRP at ‪03-8911 5103‬ or visit www.sebenarnya.my to check the authenticity of the news," he said at a daily press conference here Thursday.