MINISTER in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said must explain why no special committee involving lawmakers from both sides of the political divide has been formed to formulate the anti-fake news bill, said DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang.

Lim (DAP-Gelang Patah) said the recent meeting between Azalina and social media platform providers was part of the anti-fake news campaign, and was meant to suppress news developments on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) as fake news in Malaysia.

“Azalina said that her meeting with representatives of internet giants was to ensure that the fake news bill being formulated was comprehensive and covered all aspects, and that it was proof that the government was inclusive in forming policies and laws.

“If so, why has Azalina not honoured her word that the fake news bill would be formulated by a special committee involving MPs from both sides of the divide?” he asked during a press conference at Parliament today.

Lim urged Azalina to explain the threat by Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Jailani Johari, who had issued a warning to foreign media to stop putting out fake news on 1MDB, which had been mired in scandal over its debts and alleged leakages said to have funded luxury purchases and movie productions.

In January, Azalina said a special task force was formed to study new laws aimed at tackling fake news, which could threaten political stability and undermine public order and national security.

She said the task force included representatives from the police, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Legal Affairs Division, National Security Council, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and Communications and Multimedia Ministry.

She also added that Prime Minister Najib Razak had consented to having civil society groups and MPs involved in the task force. – March 14, 2018.