Malaysia Govt to repeal Anti-Fake News Act in first parliamentary sitting
By Ranjit Singh Malay Mail Monday May 28, 2018
Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo speaks during a press conference at Wisma Bernama in Kuala Lumpur May 28, 2018. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government will move to repeal the Anti-Fake News Act in the first Dewan Rakyat sitting after the elections on June 25.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said his ministry has a very short window, but will work hard to meet the timeline.
“The repeal of the Anti-Fake News Act remains one of the promises of the Pakatan Harapan government and we are totally committed to do so,” he told reporters after visiting the headquarters of national news agency Bernama here today.
He confirmed that the law that was gazetted in February will be repealed in totality.
But Gobind also said media freedom is not absolute, adding that the government will relook certain provisions in the current legislation to ensure there are no loopholes that will lay it open to abuse.
He also said the government is open to the set-up of a media council to provide input on “the revolution the media was experiencing”.
Gobind also said that statutory bodies under his ministry, including RTM and Bernama should move with the times to improve their services.
“They should be cognisant of the news value to the users in this information age,” he said.
From: MALAY MAIL (Malaysia) Monday May 28, 2018
ASEAN Digest 
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