PAS is working in cahoots with Umno by supporting the Anti-Fake News Bill, which was yesterday passed in the Dewan Rakyat, an Amanah leader alleged today.

Amanah Youth deputy chief Faiz Fadzil said in a statement that by doing so, the Islamist party was not only helping to "defend" the wrongdoings of Umno leaders, but was also covering up the failings of an unnamed PAS-led state government, and that of its leaders.

Kelantan is the only state government currently being led by PAS.

"This latest law by the Umno and BN kleptocratic government is seen as draconian as it stifles the rakyat's freedom of speech, especially that of opposition leaders' and the media, in publishing real news about the government's failures. The freedom of speech, as guaranteed by Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, is being eroded, every day.

"This law is also conceived to cover up the corruption and wrongdoings of government leaders, where its Section 7 provides power to the court to get rid of news deemed false. The 'fact' of RM2.6 billion 1MDB money going into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal account can be seen as 'fake news' as the local authorities, such as the police, and MACC, all controlled by Najib, have already cleared him of any offence,"  Faiz said.

Faiz then criticised the support accorded to the passing of the Anti-Fake News Bill yesterday by the 11 PAS MPs present in the Dewan Rakyat.

"PAS's support shows that it has already colluded with Umno, not only to defend Umno leaders' wrongdoings but also to cover up all the failings of its (PAS') own leaders and state government.

"The statement by Kuala Nerus MP Khairuddin Aman Razali, guaranteeing that PAS will act fairly in implementing this law, reveals PAS’ true colours as a 'kingmaker' for Umno and BN, during and after the 14th general election,” he said.

Faiz also argued that Pasir Mas MP Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz’s statement that supporting the bill has a religious basis was erroneous, as Islam forbids its adherents from supporting tyranny.

“It is best not to use religious citations for political interests," he said.

In a separate statement, Amanah's Sepang MP Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (photo) questioned whether PAS leaders were "aware" of what law they were endorsing.

"Honestly, I doubt that the 'holy party' (PAS) knew the impact of offering undivided support to the Anti-Fake News Bill 2018 by BN. I hope they did not think it was RUU 355 (Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965),” he said.

Hanipa expressed concerns over the application of the fake news law to foreigners.

"In Section 3 of the Anti-Fake News Bill, a non-Malaysian residing outside Malaysia can be tried in Malaysia if found guilty of a fake news offence against a Malaysian. In debating the section in the Parliament yesterday, I mentioned that this extra-territorial application is very problematic.

"This is because (pursuing such a case) would not only involve prosecution but also investigation and recording witness statements overseas. These involve costs at the expense of the taxpayers. Investigation and prosecution of anyone outside a certain jurisdiction are definitely not cheap!

"This particular section also has the potential to ruin the country's diplomatic relations with other countries," Hanipa said.

He added that it would also cause possible retaliation by the countries involved against Malaysia, in the form of trade sanctions and possible action against Malaysians residing in the said countries.