Why is Najib pushing fake news laws before Malaysia election?
While the prime minister and his ruling Barisan Nasional coalition claim the bill is to protect citizens, observers are not convinced Najib and his lieutenants solely have the national interest in mind
In Malaysia, where the mere act of caricaturing Prime Minister Najib Razak as a clown could get you thrown in jail, plans for a new law to stamp out “fake news” before a landmark election have set alarm bells ringing among the opposition and free speech proponents.
The government for months has been floating trial balloons about the law, and this week confirmed a bill was in the works and could be passed before the polls, which are likely to be held in April or May.
In a speech outlining the government’s legislative agenda for the current parliament session – which lasts until April 5 – the country’s King Sultan Muhammad V voiced “great support” for the law.
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Cabinet Minister Rahman Dahlan told Reuters after the speech that the law could have broad powers.
“Even spreading [bad] news about the economy is bad. [Fake news would be] anything that is not substantive, and dangerous to the economy and security of the nation,” said the minister, who leads strategic communications efforts for the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.
Observers are not convinced Najib and his lieutenants solely have the national interest in mind.