COMMUNICATIONS and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak has criticised statements made by the opposition claiming that the formulation of the law against fake news was merely to safeguard the political interest of the ruling government.

“Sometimes, there is a misunderstanding, as though when we formulate new law, we will apply it merely for political interest. This is totally not true,” he said after officiating the National Aspiration and Leadership Summit (NALS) 2018 in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said a special committee to study the law chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said would take into consideration the opinions of as many people as possible to ensure that the law to be passed by Parliament would receive everyone’s support.

“Fake news is not only a matter of concern for those from the ruling party but opposition parties and the public. We should determine together that the fake news problem can be resolved,”he said.

He was asked to comment on a claim by the opposition that there was a strong possibility that the authorities would apply the law as a weapon to abuse its political enemies.

Salleh said that the new law was not aimed at controlling those who wished to criticise or differ in opinion from the government.

“We welcome (this matter). We can now see on social media that the opposition parties and their leaders are free to give their opinions and ideas; there is no restriction at all.

“But if we don’t control fake news, it could affect racial and religious harmony in Malaysia. This is what we wish to emphasise,” he said.

Salleh said he was confident that the special committee would hold discussions with all parties, including those who believe in different political ideologies. – Bernama, February 4, 2018.