Friday 29 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 19): Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said today he will meet Attorney General (AG) Tommy Thomas to discuss Mohd Fahmi Reza Mohd Zarin's conviction for publishing a satirical caricature of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Facebook two years ago.

Today, Gobind said this is because the government plans to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA).

"My view is because we are moving to amend the CMA, there is a moratorium.

"There is a view that moratorium only applies on cases which are pending, not cases (in) which there are convictions and so forth... I will meet the AG and discuss it with him," Gobind told reporters at the sidelines of the Parliament session here today.

Gobind said the CMA amendment proposal is due to be tabled in Parliament during the current session but the ministry decided to make further adjustments after consultations with organisations like the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia or Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) besides the Malaysian Bar Council.

"If not the current session, hopefully we can table it in March," Gobind said.

On Nov 12, it was reported that the Ipoh High Court upheld Mohd Fahmi Reza's conviction under the CMA for publishing a clown caricature of Najib on Facebook two years ago. It was reported that judicial commissioner Datuk Mohd Radzi Harun, however, commuted Fahmi's sentence and reduced his fine from RM30,000 to RM10,000.

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