Tun M: No action if fake news does not threaten national security

PETALING JAYA: The government has vowed not to block or take action against inaccurate reports by the media as long as they do not disturb the peace.

“The government will not take action against any media outlet although the reports may not be accurate as long as national security is not threatened,” Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in a live broadcast on RTM1 yesterday.

He said this would allow media practitioners to determine for themselves what was real or fake news.

“Under the previous regime there were sanctions applied. There were news outlets that were pro this or pro that, but we will not block any reports. But anything that could hurt national security will not be accepted,” he said.

He said although PH was for media freedom, there must be some limits.

Mahathir said if any media outlet attempts to create chaos or tension, they would face the full force of the law.

He added that the Anti-Fake News law would be given a new definition and made clearer so that the public and news outlets would have a clearer understanding of the law.

On the appointment of three senior Cabinet ministers, he said no one party in PH was excluded.

He said the PH presidential council had discussed the plans and it was also discussed by the leadership committee comprising all component party leaders and himself.

“No decision will be made if there are parties that do not agree with it.

“There is no such thing as the chairman deciding alone ... these five individuals will decide together,” Mahathir said, referring to the team of eminent persons or the “council of elders” which has been tasked to lend their expertise to the newly formed PH federal government.

The five are Tun Daim Zainuddin, Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Tan Sri Hassan Marican, Tan Sri Robert Kuok and Prof Jomo Kwame Sundaram.

“Using the majority rule, we will be able to make accurate and fast decisions,” Mahathir said.

On the Cabinet line-up, he said it would take time but PH will form a small cabinet first made up of 10 leaders.