Malaysians are victims of 'real news', not fake, Dewan told (Updated)

GEORGE TOWN: DAP has come out strongly to condemn the proposed Anti-Fake News Bill which will be tabled in Parliament in the next few days, with its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who is Penang Chief Minister, said the Bill is a death knell for freedom of speech as it threatens the alleged offenders with imprisonment.

It also acts against the independent media outlets, who may choose not to publish news not verified by the BN federal government.

On Wednesday, Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Jailani Johari said any 1MDB-related information which was unverified, including reports by international news organisations like The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and MSNBC, would be considered fake news.

"Jailani had said that 'The general definition of fake news is news confirmed as false by authorities with expertise in the matter'," Lim said in a statement.

"In other words, only the government can determine which is true and false or decide which is fake or not. That the BN government only can decide what is true or false is draconian," he added.

Meanwhile, in the Dewan Rakyat, several opposition MPs questioned whether Malaysians really need the proposed Anti-Fake News law when what is defined as fake news depends on the discretion of the government.

Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Amanah-Sepang) interjected Minister in Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said when she was winding up the debate on the royal address.

"In Malaysia, from what we observe, we are not victims of fake news, we are actually victims of 'real news'," he said.

In her winding-up speech, Azalina said Malaysia has been constantly facing various challenges recently from the implications of the spreading of fake news, which not just confuses the people but can also pose a threat to the country's economy, peace and wellbeing.

Sim Tze Tsin (PKR-Bayan Baru) questioned whether the government has full power in defining and deciding what information is fake news.

Raising a point of order, Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) demanded that the minister reply as all MPs have the right for answers to all the questions asked.

However, Azalina defused the questions saying that all these should be raised during the debate on the Anti-Fake News Bill once it has been tabled next week.