Friday 29 Mar 2024
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This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on March 23, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: The new Anti-Fake News Bill 2018 is meant to protect Malaysians from being victims of fake news, said 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,” she said in Dewan Rakyat yesterday, adding that it will, however, not affect the rights of freedom of speech as provided for in the Federal Constitution.

The bill sends 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 when winding up the motion of thanks for the royal address for her ministry.

Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Amanah-Sepang) then stood up to say 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. But in fact there are people who fall victim to genuine news. For example, when Pandan 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 Mohamed Hanipa.

He was referring to the prosecution of Mohd Rafizi Ramli (PKR-Pandan) who was last month found guilty of breaching banking laws in connection with the scandal-hit National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd.

Jumping in, Sim Tze Tzin (PKR-Bayan Baru) queried Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari’s recent statement that on matters relating to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), only news verified by the authorities can be considered genuine, while everything else would be deemed fake.

Sim said many international media groups had reported on 1MDB, including The Economist, The Guardian, CNBC, CNN, The Jakarta Post, The Straits Times and Bangkok Post.

“These reports have not been verified by the authorities,” he said, adding that the government’s inaction on the matter “actually confuses people”.

However, Azalina said that 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 in a cabinet meeting on Wednesday — had included the views of various stakeholders. A special committee established to study the proposed new law has already held meetings with representatives of related government agencies.

Membership of the committee will be expanded to include both government- and opposition-elected representatives, she said.

“Discussions were also held with social media platform providers, such as the 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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