Suhakam proposes for a parliamentary committee to anti-Fake News Bill

PETALING JAYA: A parliamentary committee should be established to consider measures to address issues related to fake news.
The move is also to avoid confusion among the public as Malaysia already has laws which address forms of hate speech and unlawful content, said Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail.
In a statement released today, Razali listed 10 reasons why Suhakam could not support the Anti-Fake News Bill.
This includes the implications of the proposed law that may inspire "an authoritarian form of government".
"The government's track record in utilising laws for reasons other than its intended purpose is arguably questionable," he said.
Other reasons mentioned by Suhakam were that they were only invited to the final consultation without having sight of the Bill, despite it being a legally mandated organisation to advise and assist government to formulate legislation.
He added Bill's Clause 8(3) is unclear in its definition of the term "prejudicial or likely to be prejudicial to public order or national security".
"Suhakam cannot agree on this clause as it ousts the jurisdiction of the courts," he said.
Additionally, the penalties proposed in the Bill can be interpreted as being unreasonable and disproportionate, he added.