Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad today claimed that even officers from the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) are confused about the Anti-Fake News Bill.
Mahathir, who attended a briefing on the bill for opposition lawmakers by the AGC in Parliament today, said the officers were unable to answer many questions raised.
"It's clear they are confused and do not know the purpose of this law except than to serve a political agenda.
"Because they are producing a law when there are already existing laws (to address fake news)," Mahathir told reporters later.
The reason for formulating the new law, added Mahathir, was only to give the government more powers to arrest its critics.
He lamented how if members of the opposition were to state the truth, they would only be ignored by the government and their statements denied.
"Because it all depends on the public prosecutor whether an action is to be taken or otherwise.
"If the public prosecutor is of the opinion that something is not fake news then no action will be taken," he said.
Mahathir pointed how the public prosecutor had decided that no action would be taken on 1MDB despite reports by Bank Negara Malaysia, the Public Accounts Committee and the MACC.
"We know that (prime minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) said that the RM2.6 billion was given by an Arab donor but this is false news because prosecutors (from other countries) have shown how the money came from 1MDB.
"This means that the prime minister has stated fake news. Can the prosecutor bring a case against him? Of course not."
Mahathir also said there was no reason for the bill to be passed in just one day at Parliament.
"Because this is very serious [...] there are many objections from the people including the Bar Council.
"We should give time for it to be debated when Parliament reconvenes after the general election," he said.
'Face the courts'
Asked what were the questions that could not be answered by the AGC officers, Mahathir said they had pointed out how there were many laws that govern similar misdemeanours or crimes.
"There are enough laws in this country, the Sedition Act, all kinds of laws which already cover false news or making a statement that is defamatory and all that. All this is already covered but why do you need this law?"
PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar who was also present said the AGC officers could also not answer whether action would be taken against the prime minister (above) who was reported as saying by Bernama that aid for the rakyat would cease if Harapan were to come to power.
"If there is no stand on something that has clearly insulted and slandered the opposition, then there's no room to trust the credibility of the government," said the Lembah Pantai MP.
Mahathir pointed out how it was clearly stated in Harapan's manifesto that the coalition would serve the people.
"So what is the basis (of saying aid will stop)? Obviously, it's false news.
"And for false news, I think we should get the prime minister to face the courts for spreading false news," said Mahathir.
Under the propose anti-fake news bill, those found guilty of spreading fake news may face a fine of up to RM500,000 fine or up to 10 years' jail or both.
The bill defines "fake news" as "any news, information, data and reports, which is or are wholly or partly false, whether in the form of features, visuals or audio recordings or in any other form capable of suggesting words or ideas".
The same hefty penalties also apply to those who provide financial assistance or abet the production of "fake news". -Mkini
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