LETTER | I refer to the Malayskini report M'sians on brink of losing freedom to state 'two plus two make four'.

I strongly urge all members of Parliament especially those from Sarawak, regardless of the political divide to strongly object to the proposed Anti-Fake News Bill 2018 that was tabled in Parliament today for its first reading.

This necessary to protect our rights and freedom of speech and expression that is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution as well as rights intended by our forefathers here in Sarawak

According to the Sarawak 18-point agreement that was based upon the Nine Cardinal Principles of the rule of the English Rajah, it is clearly stated that the right of “freedom of expression both in speech and in writing shall be permitted and encouraged and that everyone shall be entitled to worship as he pleases”.

This was the clear intention of our forefathers and such rights should be heavily protected.

The Anti-Fake News law is clearly a regressive law which seeks to regress Malaysia into an age of democratic narrowness and information darkness just so that they can determine what is truth based for political gain or personal interest. Their aim is also to instil fear into the people so as not to question the powers-that-be.

While we are for the fight against fake news, we are against any legislation created purely to be used by the ruling government to control the dissemination of news especially those that make them uncomfortable or threatens their position in a democratic society.

There are already relevant laws including laws on defamation and the Multimedia Act that is adequate to deal with the spread of fake news.

In Singapore, while there is an intention to table such a law against fake news as well, there was proper research done with the setting up of a bi-partisan committee in their parliament which studied such legislation in detail for the past year on top of consultation with all the stakeholders involved.

In Malaysia, the drafting of such a bill was shrouded with so much secrecy and seemed to be rushed through just for this coming election to stiffen any dissenting voices.

Jailani Johari, the deputy communications and multimedia minister's statement that “any information related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) that has not been verified by the government is considered fake news” is an example of the danger this legislation poses to the people

This clearly shows the one that determines the truth of a statement or news is the government and they have arbitrary powers to determine what is truth and what is not the truth. This is clearly against the spirit of the freedom of speech and the rights of an independent media.

What if, when BN gains strong representation through the gerrymandering and other electoral fraud in the upcoming election and decides that our fight for greater rights under MA63 is against their interpretation and interest?

They can slap a fine of up to RM500,000 or 10 years in jail or both on us Sarawakians just for speaking up against injustice and oppression.

What if there are corruption and abuse of power within the government in Sarawak and any whistle-blower or members of the public that speaks about it gets arrested and thrown into jail even though matters raised are of public interest and public importance?

This is indeed a slippery slope and if indeed Sarawak MPs agree to the passing of such legislation, they are downright irresponsible and will be accomplices to the erosion of our rights that are not just enshrined by the Federal Constitution but also are in the intentions of our founding forefathers.

I thus urge all members of Parliament from Sarawak especially those in BN not to sell off our rights just for their own personal gain or just to empower and keep a kleptocratic leader in the highest position in our country.

The writer is special assistant to Chong Chieng Jen, Sarawak DAP chairperson, Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyperson.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.