Pakatan fails to abolish Anti-Fake News Act

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 12 Sep 2018 1:18PM · 3 Comments

Under the Anti-Fake News Bill 2018, people distributing ‘fake news’ face hefty sentences of up to 10 years in jail. The Pakatan Harapan government's bid to repeal the act was defeated today. – EPA pic, September 12, 2018.

PAKATAN Harapan suffered its first defeat when the Dewan Negara rejected its effort to abolish the Anti-Fake News Act.

The 28 opposition senators comprising Barisan Nasional and PAS voted against it while 21 Pakatan Harapn senators voted for the bill to be repealed.

Three senators were not present when the bill was put to vote.

The Dewan Rakyat repealed the Anti-Fake News Act on August 16.

“If there are a lot of laws, it would result in more work for the courts and police. It will also result in higher costs (for the government),” Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Hanipa Maidin said at the time.

“BN used Parliament (as the platform) to make laws to solve their problems. In fact, the law does not protect the people, it was (introduced) for their (BN’s) benefit,” he said.

The Pakatan Harapan government believed there is no need for the Anti-Fake News Act 2018 following the enforcement of existing laws, such as the Penal Code (Act 574) and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), he said.

The Anti-Fake News Act was passed by Parliament on April 2 and was officially gazetted on April 11 despite strong objection from PH lawmakers, rights activists and media practitioners.

The legislation provides for stiff punishments of up to six years in prison and a maximum fine of RM500,000.

PH, in its general election manifesto, promised to repeal the act if it came to power. – September 12, 2018.

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Comments

  • It hasnt failed- only delayed. The Senate has no power to block it entirely. Sloppy reporting.

    Posted 7 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • Temporary smile on the umnoBNpas senators.....knowing well they'll lose later.

    Posted 7 years ago by Azis Yusoff · Reply

  • Just use this anti fake news law on these people and they will gladly support to abolish it.

    Posted 7 years ago by Adrian Tan · Reply