Malaysia to keep fake news law

New Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has indicated that his government will keep a controversial law banning fake news that he once slammed as a tool to curb dissent.

The law, which was rushed through parliament last month ahead of last week’s general election, carries a stiff penalty of up to six years in jail and a fine of 500,000 ringgit (£93,487).

Mahathir himself was investigated under the law before he led his fourparty alliance to a victory in Wednesday’s election, ousting the long-ruling coalition.