Gov't to push for heavier penalties under MCMC law

The government will go ahead with plans to table amendments allowing heavier penalties for offences under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Deputy Communication and Multimedia Minister Jailani Johari today said the government said the government aims to table it in Parliament at the upcoming March session.

"There are certain offences that now carry a maximum penalty of RM50,000. We are looking to increase the amount to up to RM500,000.

"Aside from increasing the penalty, there will also be several other areas under the Act that would be amended in order to strengthen the law," Jailani told reporters after attending the launch of Dewan Perdana Zafran in Kepong.

Also present at the event was former deputy foreign minister A Kohillan Pillay as chairman of Dewan Perdana Zhafran, a multi-purpose hall located on the fifth floor of Kepong Complex.

While waiting for the amendments to be tabled, Jailani said there are also other legislations such as the Sedition Act and the Criminal Procedure Code that can be used against “instant journalists” on social media.

"I often use the term 'instant journalists' for people (on social media) who wants instant fame.

"These are people who instantly spreads unverified news that later becomes viral. We do not know whether the 'news' is true or false," he said.

Jailani said this in response to a question on whether the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission is monitoring "online portals" that allegedly "spins stories".

Yahoo!, Google consulted over MCMC Act change

When it was pointed out that media groups had opposed to a similar proposal by Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali to impose higher penalties under the Official Secrets Act, Jailani said his ministry had been engaging with various stakeholders since March last year.

"We have met with some 350 stakeholders including companies like Google and Yahoo! to come up with the proposed amendments.

"I believe that the proposed amendments have taken into consideration the views by all these parties," he said.

Last month Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak had said the proposed amendments will coordinate enforcement to block sites from defaming the national leadership.

He had also said other items to be blocked were articles and postings, which threatened peace and stability in the country as well as those violating the Sedition Act.

The proposals also comes at a time when Putrajaya has been criticised by regional and international rights groups for its alleged attacks on press freedom and freedom of information. -Mkini