CIVIL society groups today staged a protest in front of Parliament to defend their fundamental constitutional right to expression on the anti-fake news emergency ordinance.  

They said the Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance 2021, which came into force last week stifled freedom of expression.  

The Freedom of Expression Cluster said the protest was organised as they have been pushed to the edge by the government and were exercising their rights to reclaim their democratic space.  

“We demand the country to return to the path of good governance and accountability. 

“We demand for transparency and check and balance of powers. We demand the government to lift the suspension of the Parliament,” they said in a statement. 

Freedom of Expression Cluster is a group of civil society organisations working to promote freedom of expression in Malaysia. The cluster is co-chaired by the Centre for Independent Journalism and Article 19 Malaysia. 

Yesterday, Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said the ordinance on fake news is a short-term remedy to address false information on Covid-19 and the emergency proclamation. 

He said the ordinance only focuses on fake news related to Covid-19 and the proclamation of emergency without any involvement of political elements.

“The ordinance is to expedite the process of enforcement, investigation and prosecution.  

“This is only for the duration of the emergency. It’s not going to be forever.” 

The groups said it is relevant to highlight the potential danger of such gazettements, cautioning the government that it is embarking on a very slippery slope.   

They also added that they want to reclaim the democratic space that is increasingly shrinking in this country and this ordinance has pushed the exercise of fundamental liberties to yet another edge that is not acceptable.   

“We come to the streets today to defend our fundamental constitutional right to expression, including the right to assemble peacefully and the right to seek, receive, and impart information of all kinds.  

“At a time of a public health crisis – this right is more important than ever.  

“Any law that severely limits our fundamental liberties as enshrined in the federal constitution must without any compromise be enacted by all MPs and the Senate and receive the royal assent before taking force.   

“We have come before the very institution that needs to be reconvened and must reconvene as soon as possible, Parliament.” – March 14, 2021.