MCMC Probes AI-Manipulated Footage of Mourning Tun Dr Mahathir

Malaysian authorities are actively investigating and tracing the creators of artificial intelligence-manipulated media targeting former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during his mourning period, following the passing of his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. Siti Hasmah passed away on September 28 at the age of 100 at the National Heart Institute and was subsequently accorded a state funeral.

MCMC and Police Investigate AI-Manipulated Footage of Grieving Tun Dr Mahathir

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, working alongside the police, has identified several social media accounts spreading offensive material. Among the items under scrutiny is a viral 27-second black-and-white video posted on TikTok by the user @vinustudio.my. According to Free Malaysia Today, that specific clip accumulated more than 745,000 views, 30,200 likes, and thousands of shares, featuring genuine footage of Dr Mahathir wiping away tears combined with AI-generated scenes of him embracing his late wife against an emotional musical backdrop.

Putrajaya Media Club lodges reports over altered image of journalists covering Mahathir — Photo: The Edge Malaysia

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil noted that the specific TikTok account had since disappeared, though authorities have not yet determined whether it was a fake account. The MCMC stated that legal action could be taken under existing legislation, including the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), should investigations confirm any legal violations.

Media Club Files Reports Over Altered Grave Photos

Parallel police and The Edge Malaysia reports have been lodged by the Putrajaya Media Club regarding a separate social media post that altered images of journalists covering Dr Mahathir’s visit to Pusara Negara. In that post, photographs of press personnel were digitally modified to depict them as animals alongside the caption, Akal waras semakin sukar ditemui (Common sense is increasingly difficult to find).

MCMC probes AI-manipulated Mahathir content

Putrajaya police chief ACP Aidi Sham Mohamed confirmed that law enforcement received the media club’s report. The case is actively being investigated under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The media club condemned the post as insulting to professionals carrying out duties of national significance, noting that journalists had received no official prohibition against recording at the site from the family or Dr Mahathir’s office.

Government Urges Public Caution and Respect for Family Privacy

In response to the broader controversies, government officials have urged social media users to exercise discretion and humanity. Fahmi Fadzil cautioned the public against sharing speculative posts or insensitive AI-generated content, advising citizens to report suspicious material immediately to the MCMC or the police.

MCMC Probes AI-Manipulated Footage of Mourning Tun Dr Mahathir — Photo: malaysiakini.com

Authorities advised individuals concerned with general media coverage to channel grievances through formal mechanisms rather than resorting to online attacks. Fahmi suggested that citizens file formal complaints through the official channel of the Malaysian Media Council to protect the credibility of the media industry. Meanwhile, family representative Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and government ministers have repeatedly asked the public and media personnel to afford the grieving family space and privacy during their ongoing bereavement.