Malaysia enforces law to eradicate COVID-19 fake news

Malaysia has implemented a new law to combat COVID-19-related fake news and the state of emergency declared on 12 January. It is now an offence to create or publish news that is "wholly or partly false" and likely to cause fear or alarm to the public. According to the Federal Gazette, the official portal for the publication of all federal legislation in Malaysia, offenders will be fined up to RM100,000 or a jail term of up to three years or both.

In the case of a continuing offence, there will be a further fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence continues after conviction. Individuals convicted of creating or publishing fake news will be required to make an apology to the individual affected. Failure to do so will result in a fine of up to RM50,000 or a jail term of up to a year or both.

A heavier penalty will be dealt out to individuals found guilty of funding fake news, with a fine of up to RM500,000 or a jail term of up to six years or both.

Malaysia previously scrapped its anti-fake news law in 2019 and the move was in line with its aim to "abolish draconian laws and ensure the media has the freedom to" carry out checks and balances, multiple media reports including The Straits Times said. That was the second attempt by then ruling party Pakatan Harapan to abolish the fake news act introduced by Barisan Nasional before the 14th General Election in May 2018.

The initial attempt was carried out on August three years ago when the Dewan Rakyat passed the bill to repeal the act but the momentum came to a halt in the Senate where it was rejected by the BN majority, ST said. Under the anti-fake news law 2018, offenders could be fined up to RM500,000 and jail term of up to six years.

A state of emergency was declared in January this year to prevent the pandemic's spread and lasts until 1 August or earlier, depending on the number of infections. As of 11 March, Malaysia has a total of 319,364 COVID-19 cases, with 17,544 being active.

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Photo courtesy: 123RF

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