The public reaction to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) lawsuit against Sunway Lagoon has largely missed the mark. Much of the criticism centres on how much was spent on a family day but that is not the real issue. The issue here is that hundreds of people, who placed their trust in the event organiser, left unwell.

On 4 October 2025, MCMC employee, together with their families, attended a family day gathering at Sunway Lagoon. Over 850 later reported symptoms of food poisoning, including diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pain, including children. Thankfully, there were no fatalities, but the scale alone makes this a serious incident.

Yet the conversation online has been skewed by claims of wasteful spending and misuse of public funds. That line of attack is not just misplaced, it is misleading. MCMC is a statutory body that generates its own revenue. It is not funded in the same way as government departments. Its revenue is largely derived from regulatory fees, including licensing and spectrum charges imposed on industry players. In its 2022 annual report alone, the commission recorded approximately RM1.2 billion in such collections. Hence, to suggest the commission misused public funds is inaccurate and reflects a misunderstanding of how MCMC operates.

While criticising, several people ignored the key facts. The venue prohibits outside food, meaning catering for the family day was handled internally. It was reported that an employee had flagged that a dish smelt bad and tasted sour, yet no immediate action was taken. Following the incident, MCMC did lodge a police report and escalated the matter to health authorities. The Selangor health department then ordered a 14-day closure of the park’s kitchen starting October 7, 2025. Such action should not be taken lightly. It is imposed when there are credible grounds to believe that food safety standards have been breached.

Nevertheless, a month later, the state health authorities confirmed that more than 300 attendees showed symptoms consistent with food poisoning. This was not speculation. It was a verified public health issue.

Equally concerning is the spread of misinformation. Some have portrayed the event as recent to stoke outrage, while others continue to frame the lawsuit as a question of public spending. Both narratives are misleading.

This lawsuit is about accountability. When hundreds fall ill at a controlled venue, responsibility must be established. The absence of fatalities does not lessen the seriousness of what occurred.

Public scrutiny is important, but it must be informed, and should focus on substance over spectacle. This is not about money. It is about safety, responsibility, and ensuring such an incident does not happen again.

By: Rizal Farouq

Farouq is a litigation lawyer and regular contributor at Dekapital. He writes about law, power and truth, with a sharp and fearless voice that bows to no one.