Bill to repeal controversial Anti-Fake News Act tabled in Parliament

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 KUALA LUMPUR- Dewan Rakyat sitting at 1000 (0200 GMT)

KUALA LUMPUR: A Bill to repeal the controversial Anti-Fake News Act 2018 has been tabled in Parliament.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong tabled the Bill for its first reading.

The Bill states that fake news may be dealt with under other laws.

"Due to the change in the policy of the Government, fake news may be dealt with under existing laws such as the Penal Code, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

"As such Act 803 (Anti-Fake News Act 2018) is no longer relevant," read the Bill.

However, the Bill also states that any application for an order under the repealed Act made prior to the passing of this Bill will still remain in force.

This means that any cases currently under the Anti-Fake News Act may still be investigated or prosecuted despite the Act being abolished.

The Anti Fake News Act was pushed through by the former Barisan Nasional Government and passed in Parliament on April 2 despite protests from Pakatan Harapan lawmakers.

Pakatan, in its election manifesto promised to repeal the Act.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is also being investigated under the same law over his claims that the private jet he was using had been sabotaged to prevent him from attending a ceramah during his election campaign.