THE passing of the anti-fake news bill in Parliament may have been done in haste to create a climate of fear ahead of the 14th general election, said the Suhakam commissioner.

Mah Weng Kwai said it is unfortunate that Suhakam and the Bar Council were not consulted in the process.

“We were disappointed when the government did not in any way talk to us about the bill. They had a committee, but we were left out,” he said at a public forum, titled “Role of the Media in GE14 in the Context of the Anti-Fake News Act 2018 and Contemporary Human Right Issues”.

He said the legislation is not well-drafted, containing words that are vague, such as “malice”, and that “while we have the definition for what is ‘fake’, there is no definition for what is ‘false’”.

Lawyer Gurdial Singh Nijar, meanwhile, said caretaker prime minister Najib Razak is also liable as an individual, but only the attorney-general can decide on prosecution.

“Under the law, you cannot prosecute the said mentioned (Najib). Only the A-G can take action.

“In practical terms, although he can be charged, but who is going to (do so)?”

After the forum, a candlelight vigil was held in protest against the Anti-Fake News Act.

Bar Council Human Rights Committee chairman Roger Chan said the act is in violation of human rights, and the caretaker government should immediately repeal it.

“We urge the authorities in the caretaker government to take immediate steps to repeal this law.

“It is unconstitutional and inhumane, and has taken away all of our rights.” – May 2, 2018.