Friday 29 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (March 22): The new Anti-Fake News Bill 2018 is meant to protect Malaysians from being victims of fake news, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

"The Bill was formulated based on the people's interest, protecting them from fake news, and from becoming a victim of fake news. Nevertheless, the Bill is not going to affect the rights of freedom of speech as provided by our Federal Constitution," she assured in a wrap-up speech during the debate on the motion of thanks on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V's royal address.

Azalina said the Bill spells out the offenses and the actions that can be taken.

"Therefore, (the) government hopes all parties accept the Bill, which will send out a clear message that the administration is not going to compromise on any matters that will affect public order and national security," she added.

However, pointing to the prosecution of opposition lawmaker Rafizi Ramli who was last month found guilty of breaching banking laws in connection to scandal-hit National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd, Sepang member of Parliament (MP) Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said the government should be more concerned about protecting Malaysians from falling afoul of the law in relaying genuine news.

"In our country, it does not seem like the people fall victim to fake news; in fact, there are people who fall victim to genuine news. For example, when Pandan (MP Rafizi Ramli) exposed something that is true, he received a jail sentence under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). So in my view, this Bill is not necessary," said Hanipa, who had stood up to interject.

Jumping in, Bayan Baru lawmaker Sim Tze Tzin queried a recent statement by Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Datuk Jailani Johari which had asserted that on all matters relating to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), only news verified by the authorities can be considered genuine, while everything else was fake.

Sim said numerous international media reports had linked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to the 1MDB scandal, adding they include The Economist, The Guardian, CNBC, CNN, Jakarta Post, Straits Times and Bangkok Post. "These reports have not been verified by the authorities. The Prime Minister should come out and sue them but what we see is inaction from both Najib and the government. This is the kind of thing that actually confuses people."

However, Azalina said owing to time constraints, and as the issues would be brought up during the actual debate of the Bill next week, she would not prolong her speech on the matter.

She said the Bill — presented and approved at a Cabinet Meeting yesterday — had included the views of various stakeholders. A special committee established to study the proposed new law has already held meetings with representatives from related government agencies, including the Home Affairs, and Communications & Multimedia ministries, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), National Security Council, Prime Minister's Department, Royal Malaysian Police, Chief Registrar's Office, and Federal Court of Malaysia.

"The government also agreed to broaden the special committee's membership to include academics, higher education institutions, a few non-governmental organisations and representatives from both sides (of the political divide) to ensure the initiative receives all the appropriate views," she said, adding cyber crime academics, as well as officers from the AGC and Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), as well as media representatives had been roped in.

"This is to create a bill that is holistic in battling the dissemination of fake news. Discussions were also held with social media platform providers such as Asia Internet Coalition, Google, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. These discussions underscore the government's intention to gather views and input from the providers," she added.

 

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