Malaysia’s Mahathir says fake new law will be redefined
Malaysia’s new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has rejected demands for abolishing a controversial law on fake news adopted by his predecessor Najib Razak, saying it will be re-defined.
“The fake news law will be given a new definition so that the public and media outlets will know what is fake news and what is not fake,” said Mahathir on Sunday in response to critics who insist the law is meant to curb freedom of expression.
Mahathir had vowed during his election campaign that he would scrap the Anti-Fake News 2018 bill, which Razak’s administration and parliament adopted last month despite widespread criticism.
However, he said in his live telecast on state TV that the law could not be removed altogether and some provisions against spread of false news would stay intact.
“Even though we support freedom of press and freedom of speech, there are limits,” said Mahathir, who himself has been investigated under the law over claims his plane was sabotaged ahead of the May 9 election.
The current law covers digital publications and social media and affects everyone who maliciously spread “news, information, data and reports which is or are wholly or partly false” inside and outside Malaysia, including foreigners. Those violating the law could land in prison up to six years and could pay fines of up to 500,000 ringgit ($126,646.40).
Human rights activists have criticized it, saying the measure, which comes amid similar efforts by other governments in Southeast Asia region, could be used to stifle free speech.
Mahathir is well-known for his tough actions against the dissent during his previous term as prime minister which lasted for 22 years starting in 1981. Activists say free speech was largely restricted by Mahathir, citing recurrent cases of prosecution against many of his political opponents during those years.
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