The office of Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu has lodged a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) over a doctored image circulating online that falsely claimed the minister encouraged civil servants to grow cannabis at home.
In a statement on Facebook, the minister’s office said the allegation was defamatory, false, and capable of misleading the public, prompting formal action to be taken against those responsible for spreading the content.
It confirmed that an official report had been submitted to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission for investigation and further action, while urging the public not to share unverified information and to rely only on official communication channels.
The viral post reportedly featured an edited image of Mohamad Sabu alongside cannabis plants, accompanied by a misleading caption suggesting he had proposed civil servants grow cannabis at home in response to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
The ministry clarified that the content was entirely fabricated and stressed that cannabis cultivation and use remain strictly prohibited under Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries severe penalties including imprisonment, whipping, and fines.
The clarification comes after a separate remark made last month in which Mohamad instructed ministry officers to cultivate their own crops, citing concerns over prolonged global conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran and its potential impact on food security.
Authorities continue to warn against the spread of manipulated content on social media, noting that such misinformation can create public confusion and damage reputations.
