TABLING the Fake News Bill in the Dewan Rakyat ahead of the 14th general election is a cause for concern, DAP MP Ramkarpal Singh said.

In a statement last night, the Bukit Gelugor MP questioned the motive of the move following Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Jailani Johari’s remarks that any news related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) not recognised by the authorities was considered false information.

Ramkarpal, a lawyer,  said the authorities’ findings could not be conclusive, as they are not based on evidence tested in court.

“As such, the said findings cannot be taken as conclusive evidence that certain criticisms of 1MDB which are not recognised by the said authorities are fake.

“Furthermore, there have been numerous instances of severe criticisms by foreign media of 1MDB with some going as far as to suggest that the prime minister himself is implicated in the scandal it finds itself in.

“To date, the prime minister has shockingly not commenced any legal action against such foreign media,” he said.

Jailani yesterday said that since 1MDB had been investigated by the police, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), any information concerning the state investor not confirmed by the authorities would be deemed fake news.

Earlier this month, he also accused foreign newspapers and broadcasters of spreading fake news about 1MDB as part of an agenda to damage Prime Minister Najib Razak’s reputation ahead of the 14th general election. 

International media coverage of the 1MDB scandal picked up again following Indonesia’s seizure of the RM1 billion super yacht The Equanimity belonging to businessman Low Taek Jho (Jho Low), who is said to be Najib’s confidant and business advisor. 

Ramkarpal asked if the proposed Fake News Act would also apply to the foreign media; and whether the government would seek Interpol’s help to arrest the authors of damning articles in publications like the Wall Street Journal and The Economist abroad to face charges here under the new Act.

“Going by the failure of the government to take action against the said foreign media so far, it is practically certain that no action will be taken against them under the new law.

“With that result, it is likely that the new Act is highly suspect and merely to shut out criticism of 1MDB, or for that matter, any other sensitive matters in the run up to general election.

“The government should avoid further negative perceptions against it by tabling the said Bill in these circumstances, which will undoubtedly attract further ridicule of the already dismal record of freedom of speech in this country internationally.” – March 22, 2018.