KUALA LUMPUR: Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo will discuss with Attorney-General (AG) Tommy Thomas the conviction of activist Fahmi Reza over his clown caricature of former prime minister Najib Razak.
Gobind said the government had already ordered a moratorium on the enforcement of Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 on the improper use of network facilities or network services.
Speaking to reporters at Parliament today, he said the meeting with the AG was to clarify whether the moratorium applies to cases already on trial or under appeal as well.
“That is something I have to discuss with the AG,” he said.
He added that his ministry was supposed to table amendments to the act during the current parliamentary sitting. But due to time constraints, he said, this could be postponed to the next session.
The Puchong MP said they had also consulted the police, the Malaysian Bar and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia on the matter.
“One seems to suggest amending Section 211 (prohibiting the provision of offensive content) as well as 233. We might even consider repealing Section 233 altogether and just amending Section 211.
“We understand the need for legislation,” he added. “One of the views that have been put forward is that perhaps the legislation should be streamlined in the Penal Code.”
On Nov 12, the High Court set aside Fahmi’s one-month jail sentence and reduced the RM30,000 fine to RM10,000 in default of a month’s jail. However, it upheld the conviction against Fahmi, saying it was right in law.
Rights group Lawyers for Liberty was among those who criticised the court decision, saying the caricature was a classic example of political comment or satire which falls under the right to freedom of expression enshrined in the Federal Constitution. - FMT
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