Amnesty International calls Malaysian fake news bill ‘assault on freedom of expression’
Watchdog says the bill is ‘nothing but a blatant attempt to shield the government from peaceful criticism’
By Jessica Lin
The thought of having to spend 10 years in jail is enough to send shivers down one’s spine.
That is probably why Putrajaya’s proposed anti-fake news bill has been met with alarm by lawyers and global observers since its reveal.
Carrying a maximum jail term of 10 years or a maximum fine of RM500,000 (US$129,065), or both, the proposed law puts perpetrators who spread fake news on the same end of the spectrum as those who commit serious crimes such as kidnapping.
In a statement, human rights organisation Amnesty International said the bill was an “assault on freedom of expression“.
The group’s director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, James Gomez, said: “The vague and broad definition of ‘fake news’, combined with severe punishments and arbitrary arrest powers for police, shows that this is nothing but a blatant attempt to shield the government from peaceful criticism.”
He also called for the bill to be “scrapped immediately”.