MALAYSIA’S government has cut the proposed punishment in a bill prohibiting fake news from 10 to six years in prison.
The comes after an outcry from rights groups and opposition legislators who say it aims to silence dissent ahead of a general election.
The anti-fake news bill, presented in parliament on Monday, is being debated by legislators and is expected to be approved next week. In addition to imprisonment, it also calls for a fine of up to 500,000 ringgit (£92,000).
Azalina Othman, minister in charge of law, said the government decided to reduce the prison term after considering views from several parties.
She told parliament that the government will also amend a clause to make it a crime to “maliciously” create fake news, instead of “knowingly” in the original draft.
Rights activists say the bill, which covers all media and extends even to foreigners outside Malaysia, appears aimed at shutting down discussions of a multibillion-dollar financial scandal involving Prime Minister Najib Razak. They also fear the bill could be used against critics of gerrymandering or other aspects of the electoral process.
Yesterday, parliament approved controversial new constituency boundaries for national elections due in August, but widely expected in the next few weeks.
“Malaysia’s fake news bill is a blatant attempt by the government to prevent any and all news that it doesn’t like, whether about corruption or elections,” said Brad Adams, Asia director for New York-based Human Rights Watch. “The proposed law uses draconian penalties and broad language in an audacious and unprecedented effort to control discussion of Malaysia worldwide.”
Azalina denied the bill will curb free speech and said it will stop fake news from going viral, which could hurt national security and interracial harmony.
“Fake news is bad news ... stories that have been fabricated or changed and spread without a conscious consideration of the impact it could have on the people,” she said, adding that the legislation will make people more responsible in publishing and sharing news.
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