KOTA KINABALU: Determined to scare away his in-laws, a man made up a claim about an armed incursion in Sabah – and has now been jailed six months for spreading fake news.

       On top of that, the 42-year-old immigrant, identified only as Ben, will face action by the Immigration Dept after he completes his sentence.

       It is learnt that Ben came up with the fake story because of issues with his recent marriage.

       His wife’s family was apparently against the union, and his in-laws wanted to visit them to "settle" the matter.

       Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah said Ben made up the story of the armed incursion to scare his in-laws and keep them from visiting.

       Comm Idris said Ben was detained after security forces found no evidence of his claims, and he was charged with spreading fake news on Wednesday (Feb 9).

       “He was brought to the Lahad Datu Magistrate’s Court where he received the sentence from Magistrate Ryan Sagiran Rayner,” Comm Idris said.

       He added that Ben was found guilty of spreading false information, with intent to cause a public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person, under Section 182 of the Penal Code.

       Comm Idris said the police force welcomed information about suspected criminal activities but it should not be given with bad intentions.

       He said spreading fake news can cause panic among the public and the authorities.

       Last week, a man reported that he saw a group of armed men wearing camouflage entering Lahad Datu via Long Patau in Tambisan on Jan 28.

       He claimed that they were from the southern Philippines.