It's economic sabotage. This is the description that police have given to those spreading rumours that petrol stations will close for three days in protest against high credit card commission payment.
And police would take severe action against these rumour-mongers.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said they would use the Internal Security Act against individuals or groups bent on creating panic among the public.
"This is a malicious act. These people are out to sabotage the country's economy. Police will not hesitate to use the ISA against them," he said after closing the "Endurance Test" for staff of the Internal Security and Public Order Department in Ulu Kinta, near here, yesterday.
Some irresponsible elements had spread rumours by text messages that petrol stations would be closed for three days and this caused panic-buying among motorists, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, over the last two days.
The rumours are believed to be spreading to the peninsula as well.
Musa gave an assurance that they would carry out a thorough investigation to find out the people behind the SMSes.
He also said police were compiling statistics on the crime index related to the recent increase in fuel prices.
"The increase was a recent event... so we need some time before we can say if the crime index has gone up," he said when asked if there was an increase in fuel smuggling and other related criminal activities.
He said police patrols would not be affected with the rise in fuel prices.
