Law may not come into force in time for GE14

KUALA LUMPUR: The Anti-Fake News Bill 2018 may not come into force in time for this general election, as it still has to go through the Dewan Negara and be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for Royal Assent.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to call for the dissolution of Parliament any time now.

A Bill that has been passed in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara can be presented to the King for his assent as soon as possible, depending on the urgency of the legislation.

Once the Bill has been passed in both Houses, the Parliament secretariat can prepare and submit it for Royal Assent within two days.

“It depends on the urgency of the Bill. The urgency is determined by the party that wants to enforce the law,” said a source.

“Parliament will be advised on the urgency and necessary preparations will be done. So if it’s urgent, it can be done within one or two days. If it is not, the usual time frame applies.”

A formal correspondence, which consists of a cover letter and a copy of the legislation that has been passed, will be submitted to the palace and a similar copy will be sent to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Once it reaches the palace, it will be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his assent.

Article 66(4A) of the Federal Constitution grants automatic assent to any legislation if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong does not provide his assent within 30 days from when the legislation was presented to him.

Once Royal Assent has been given, the legislation has to be gazetted before it comes into force.