KINI ROUNDUP | Here are the key headlines you may have missed yesterday, in brief.

Uproar over Anti-Fake News Bill

The Anti-Fake News Bill was tabled in Parliament, prescribing punishments of up to RM500,000 fine and 10 years’ imprisonment.

Former information minister Rais Yatim called for scrutiny of the proposed legislation, questioning the definition of "fake news".

The National Union of Journalists warned that the wide-ranging Bill would end up stifling the media.

Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan and chief executive officer Premesh Chandran also spoke against the bill, decrying it as another tool of oppression.

The bill defines fake news as "any news, information, data and reports, which is or are wholly or partly false, whether in the form of features, visuals or audio recordings or in any other form capable of suggesting words or ideas".

Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak gave his assurance that details provided by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on 1MDB would not be considered "fake news".

Salleh also urged the international media to be balanced and fair in reporting on issues relating to Malaysia.

Guan Eng's graft charge amended

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng pleaded not guilty again in his bungalow graft case after the charge was amended to describe him as an "officer of a public body" instead of a "civil servant".

During the first day of the trial, Lim's lawyer grilled blogger Muhsin Abdul Latheef, who had lodged an MACC report against the chief minister alleging corruption in his bungalow purchase.

Civil society groups Bersih and the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) accused 1MDB of lying by claiming the RM430 million seized in Switzerland did not belong to it.

The latest edition of KiniGuide looks at the 1MDB money trail that ended up in Switzerland.

Putrajaya declared that the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) was receiving payment on time from its 1MDB bonds.

A group of activists calling themselves “Anak Muda Cari Jho Low” (AMCJL) announced that they will hold a rally titled ‘Perhimpunan Tangkap Pencuri” on April 14.

Umno info chief showers praises on Najib

Umno information chief Annuar Musa said Najib had achieved more as prime minister compared to Mahathir and also praised his charisma.

Najib announced an RM200 million fund to develop fishermen settlements nationwide.

Mahathir admitted that some people do not believe in Pakatan Harapan but claimed that the country’s situation would be worse if Najib remained as prime minister.

PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah claimed Mahathir was unsuitable to be prime minister due to his political baggage.

Pro-PAS NGO Pertahan submitted an invitation to Mahathir to attend a forum with his critic, Kamarul Zaman Yusoff, who was ridiculed in a previous forum for fumbling after Mahathir made a surprise appearance.

Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali pulled a stunt similar to Mahathir when he turned up unannounced to snicker at Umno assemblypersons who held a press conference to criticise the state government.

Other Kinibites

Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Mohd Yunos, who leads the “Red Shirts” movement, vowed to confront Bersih, which is planning a protest outside Parliament on Wednesday.

Three DAP MPs who criticised Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia were suspended after they refused to apologise.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low said the MACC found no basis in the graft allegation against Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

A Malaysian was arrested in Melbourne while in possession of more than 900 child porn images and videos.

DAP’s Abdul Aziz Isa complained about the presence of a 150-year-old voter in the electoral roll of Sarawak.

Looking ahead

Parliament and the Selangor State Legislative Assembly will resume sitting.

Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz will attend a function in Kuala Lumpur.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's graft trial enters its second day.