Two select committees briefed on proposed PPPA changes

The Home Ministry had last week briefed members of two Parliamentary Special Select Committees (PSSC) on proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

The bipartisan lawmakers represent the PSSC on Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reforms, as well as Infrastructure, Transportation and Communications.

Selayang MP William Leong Jee Keen, who chairs the PSSC on Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reforms, said the contents of the briefing remain confidential.

“According to the Parliament’s Standing Orders, any part of the briefing cannot be (officially) disclosed until I write my report,” he said.

“The proposed amendments were not presented in its final form. It (the briefing) was more of an engagement session.

“But the details are still confidential,” Leong told Malaysiakini.

Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who is a member of the PSSC on Infrastructure, Transportation and Communications, similarly confirmed attending a Home Ministry briefing on Nov 14.

Alarming expansion

On Saturday, the National Union Journalists Malaysia (NUJM), Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) jointly raised alarm bells over Putrajaya’s purported proposal to amend the PPPA, said to include imposing a licensing requirement for online media.

The groups said it had received information that the proposed amendments include reinstating the requirement for licence renewal every three years and expanding the definition of publication to include digital and electronic content.

In response, DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok said if the amendments are true, they could further undermine Malaysia’s already fragile press freedom and betray the government’s commitment to transparency and openness.

Earlier today, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin described concerns raised over tighter regulations for media publishers and practitioners as based on “rumours”.

Prior to the parliamentary briefings, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in March had reportedly denied any plans to control online media through the amendments.

However, two months later government stakeholders held consultations with media industry players over proposed amendments to the PPPA, including expanding existing controls to include content on digital media. - Mkini