Guan Eng baffled by PAS’ ‘senseless’ backing of Anti-Fake News Bill

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has described the excuse proffered by PAS for its support of the Anti-Fake News Bill 2018 as “senseless.”

Yesterday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said the party supported the bill as it had backed the formulation of the Internal Security Act in 1957.

According to Lim, this justification does not make sense, because the party can potentially be victimised by the bill were it to be passed into law, as they were with the ISA in the past.

"They were also victims of ISA and they may be victims of the anti-fake news law, as such laws are used against dissidents and opposition leaders.

"Remember, the ISA was originally intended for the communist insurgency, but was used against the opposition.

"PAS support for the anti-fake news law is shocking and senseless," Lim said at a press conference in Komtar today.

All 11 PAS MPs who were present in the Dewan Rakyat were part of the 123 who backed the passing of the bill on Monday.

PAS media organ Harakah Daily had quoted Hadi (photo) as saying the new bill would “correct the morals of the mass media” in disseminating information to the public.

Hadi also said that since Muslims should submit to ta’zir – punishment for offences at the discretion of the judge – the party was therefore obliged to back the bill.

"Although this law might be abused, PAS wants to highlight the positive effects of the law in educating the public.

"It also makes it easier for PAS if we win (the elections). We can implement it without amendments," he had said. - Mkini