MBPP lodges police report over provocative TikTok videos

BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has lodged a police report against a TikTok user for posting 16 allegedly provocative and misleading videos.

Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran (pic) said the report was lodged as the account holder @sophianmohdzain7 had allegedly created discomfort and caused disturbances in public places.

He said in addition to the Sept 18 report, a complaint was also made to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on Thursday (Sept 21).

“Actions that tarnish the image of MBAPP and slander the council as well as harass traders in public must not be allowed to continue.

“Anyone can gain publicity through social media but it must be done in a good manner,” he said at a press conference after a council meeting at City Hall on Friday (Sept 22).

Rajendran said the council decided to take action after studying each video that was posted by the account holder.

He said the person had also uploaded similar videos involving other city councils, and MBPP was the first to issue an official statement.

In the videos, the TikTok user claimed that the council issued business licences to foreign nationals, in addition to alleging other improprieties.

Rajendran stressed that no licence had been issued to any individual foreigner, although foreign nationals were allowed to register under the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) to run a business in partnership.

He said approval of the registration of a business or company was under SSM’s jurisdiction.

He said MBPP periodically checked on businesses being run by foreign nationals without approval, with inspections carried out in cooperation with the police and other related agencies.

He said criticisms, complaints or opinions about MBPP can be forwarded to the council through its communications and social media channels such as its hotline, Facebook and online reporting system, or even face to face at its office.

“Every case will be investigated thoroughly and action will be taken accordingly,” he said.