Malaysia proposes up to 10 years' jail, fines for publishers of 'fake news'

(Mar 26) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's government tabled a bill in parliament on Monday outlawing "fake news", with hefty fines and up to 10 years in jail, raising more concerns about media freedom in the wake of a multi-billion dollar graft scandal.

The bill was tabled ahead of a national election that is expected to be called within weeks and as Najib faces widespread criticism over the scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Under the Anti-Fake News 2018 bill, anyone who published so-called fake news could face fines of up to 500,000 ringgit ($168,145), up to 10 years in jail, or both. "The proposed Act seeks to safeguard the public against the proliferation of fake news whilst ensuring the right to freedom of speech and expression under the Federal Constitution is respected," it said.

---

Related Stories

• Najib offers unreserved apology, regrets that 1MDB scandal happened under his watch
• A rebuttal to Leslie Lopez’s allegation of a political conspiracy and his claim about being the first to expose 1MDB
• 1MDB fugitive Jho Low must forfeit mum’s trio of ‘flawless’ diamonds

---