Fake news affects those in the opposition too, minister says

The government will take into account the views of all stakeholders before drafting any legislation to prevent the spread of fake news, Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak said today.

This is because, he said, the fake news phenomenon affects those from both sides of the political divide.

“We have informed the chairperson of the committee, (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department) Azalina Othman Said, and before presenting draft legislation to the cabinet, she will contact as many stakeholders as possible to ensure we have consensus.

“The question of fake news should not only worry the ruling coalition, but also those from the opposition, and the Malaysian public.

“I am confident that the committee will have discussions with all sides, including those from the other side of the political divide,” he told reporters after the National Aspiration and Leadership Summit at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur today.

It was reported last week that Putrajaya formed a special committee to formulate laws to tackle what they call “fake news”.

However, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang (photo) called for the committee’s dissolution, and for it to be replaced with a bipartisan parliamentary select committee.

Lim said due to the membership of the present committee – comprising ministers, police personnel, the Attorney-General’s Chambers representatives, NGOs, and MPs – it would likely be “weaponised” by the government to persecute the opposition.

He also called into question the committee’s independence from Putrajaya, which he labelled the "biggest manufacturer" of "fake news”, adding that this would be tantamount to “asking thieves to catch thieves”.

‘Free speech not curtailed’

Salleh meanwhile also stressed the proposed law has nothing to do with the freedom of speech.

“We have to differentiate between voicing relevant opinions, and fake news. What we aim to overcome is the latter, which is a threat to national security.

“This is not relevant to those who criticise the government, and those who voice opinions on the government - those are welcome. Even now, we can see that the opposition is not restricted from airing their views on social media.

“But the situation we are in now is that the spread of fake news is not controlled, it can jeopardise racial and religious harmony in the country, which we prioritise,” he said.

The minister also noted that the legislation is only in the proposal stage, and that it requires cabinet approval before eventually being brought before Parliament.

“This matter has not been put to cabinet. If we come up with (the legislation) on time, and it is approved, there is no reason why we wouldn’t bring it before Parliament.

“If we delay this - since fake news is affecting the rest of the world as well, even the UK is worried about its dissemination - it will create the misunderstanding that the Act is only being created to serve our own political interests.”- mkini