Gobind to meet AG over Fahmi Reza's conviction

Gobind Singh Deo

KUALA LUMPUR: Gobind Singh Deo (pic) says he will meet Attorney General Tommy Thomas regarding the High Court's decision to uphold the conviction of Fahmi Reza for publishing a clown caricature of former premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
 
Fahmi was convicted under Section 233(1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998.
 
The Communications and Multimedia Minister said he will push for a moratorium over Fahmi's conviction because his ministry is seeking to amend the CMA.
 
"There is a view that moratorium only applies to cases which are pending or where people are going to be charged. Not cases where there is conviction.
 
"I will meet the AG and discuss it with him," Gobind said to reporters when met at the Parliament lobby on Monday (Nov 19).
 
According to Gobind, the Ministry has consulted the police, Bar Council and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) in its efforts to amend or repeal Section 233 and 211 of the CMA.
 
"We are trying to get it done as soon as possible. In this set of suggestions, we are also consulting the police.
 
"I'm not sure if we can get it done. Otherwise it will be next (Parliament) session in March," he said.
 
In order to ensure that investigations on offences under these laws are streamlined, Gobind said that there is a proposal to place such offences under the Penal Code.
 
"I think there is merit in this suggestion and that is what we are reviewing now. Of course we are taking it to the police first to see whether or not it is agreeable or suitable," he said.
 
On Sept 4, Gobind said that the CMA will be amended to tighten some of the legal provisions which are often deemed to be too broad.
 
 
Section 233 deals with the improper use of network facilities or network service, while Section 211 prohibits the publication of offensive content in the Internet.
 
Gobind pointed out that in the past, there were complaints that Section 233 had been used primarily on Opposition members and some of them had been charged.