Azalina: Dr M exploited to create public fear

KUALA lUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is being exploited to create public fear of the Anti-Fake News Bill 2018, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department believes the former premier could have been manipulated by the Opposition.

Dr Mahathir had earlier attended a briefing on the Bill, chaired by the Attorney-General’s Chambers, for opposition lawmakers.

“I don’t know (why he attended), but I pity him.

“It is a legal briefing but of course the Opposition spun it to be political,” she told reporters after chairing a closed-door media briefing on the Bill in Parliament yesterday.

Azalina said that when Dr Mahathir was premier, he did not engage with the Opposition when new legislation was introduced by his administration.

“When Dr Mahathir was prime minister, I don’t think he had any open dialogues.

“At least the current Government is doing it,” she said.