Fake news committee to include opposition reps
Anti-Fake News Bill 2018 is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next week.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, in telling Parliament about the status of the draft yesterday, said a special committee meeting between experts on cybercrime, computers and relevant agencies had been held to obtain feedback and views on the spread of fake news.
The committee included the Bar Council, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, Persatuan Wartawan Melayu Malaysia, Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association, National Press Club Malaysia and SOLS 24/7.
“Meetings with representatives from social media platforms Asia Internet Coalition, Google, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter yielded positive responses, and proved that the government is inclusive in drafting bills.”
She said membership of the committee would be widened to include elected representatives from Barisan Nasional and the opposition to get their opinion.
“These laws are being introduced to protect the people from falling victim to fake news.
“However, the government will not repress freedom of speech, which is enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” Azalina said in a wrap-up speech during a session on the motion of thanks for Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V’s royal address.
Earlier, the session was repeatedly interrupted by several opposition members of parliament, including Mohamed Hanipa
Maidin (Parti Amanah Negara-Sepang), who claimed that the draft bill was not needed since “the people were not victims of fake news”.
Julian Tan Kok Ping (DAPStampin) agreed with Hanipa, while Gobind Singh Deo (DAPPuchong) said Standing Orders 37(1B) allowed parliamentarians to raise an issue to be addressed, in an effort to compel Azalina respond to the matters raised.
Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said the provision allowed the minister to decide whether to respond.
Azalina said she was confident that the bill would be debated by both BN and opposition parliamentarians. “It is better for us to debate the bill when it is being tabled. Otherwise, I cannot answer questions. This (raising issues) is premature. If all of you Yang Berhormat are mature, you should wait for the bill to be tabled first.”