The Centre for Independent Journalism warned that the new ordinance provides for a three-year imprisonment term for the publication and distribution of “fake news” relating to COVID-19 or the Emergency Proclamation.
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin receives a COVID-19 vaccination on February 24, 2021.
Credit: Facebook/Muhyiddin Yassin
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Civil liberties activists and opposition parties in Malaysia have come out strongly against a new “fake news” ordinance introduced by the government of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin last week.
The Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance 2021 was issued on March 11 and came into effect the following day. It will make it an offence to publish or reproduce any “wholly or partly false” information related to COVID-19 or the state of emergency announced in January to combat the pandemic
The ordinance imposes sentences of up to three years in prison for the creation, publication, distribution, or dissemination of “fake news” that is “likely to cause fear or alarm to the public.” “Fake news” is defined as “news, information, data and reports which is or are wholly or partly false relating to COVID-19 or the procla
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PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission chief regulatory officer Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin said the Emergency Ordinance has enough “built-in control mechanisms”, such as confirming officers from various authorities and allowance for judicial reviews, which would guard it from being abused.
“I believe the ordinance is robust enough with sufficient protection at the very beginning, with confirming officers from the right authority to state that it is a case of spreading fake news (with ill intentions).
“Furthermore, there is also a pathway for the person affected to lodge a police report under this ordinance or take a court order as a form of defence – there are various processes prior to issuing notices, ” said Zulkarnain.
Malaysia government uses emergency powers to enforce anti fake-news law - JURIST - News jurist.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jurist.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.