If true, the shutdown could affect some 500 million users worldwide, including some 9.9 million users in Malaysia.
It is unclear where the rumour began, although some publications have attributed it to a widely-linked article posted by US-based news website, the Weekly World News.
The article stated that "users will no longer be able to access their Facebook account" starting March 15, and quoted Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
"Facebook has gotten out of control and the stress of managing this company has ruined my life."
"I need to put an end to all the madness," he was reported to have said.
Weekly World News, however, is known for its comedic news spoofs and blatantly false reports, with its recent articles claiming that United States First Lady Michelle Obama was pregnant and that actor George Clooney would be running for president next year.
Read More: Facebook shutdown a hoax
