By Syauqi Jamil
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today witnessed yet another tabling of a Bill that seeks to undo laws implemented under the previous Barisan Nasional government.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong tabled the first reading of a Bill to repeal the controversial Anti-Fake News Act 2018.
The Bill stated that due to a change in policy of the government, fake news offenses shall fall under other existing 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,” the Bill reads.
Despite this, the Bill clearly states that any application for an order under the repealed Act made prior to the passing of the Bill will still take place as usual.
Therefore any cases that is currently under the Anti-Fake News Act may still be investigated and prosecuted despite the abolishment of the Act.
The Anti Fake News Act was previously a brainchild of the previous BN administration which was passed in the Dewan Rakyat on April 2.
Pakatan Harapan who had valiantly oppose the bill was concerned that such law may be misused by the ruling government.
They had stated in their GE14 manifesto that they would repeal the Act, among many others should they come into power.
