Dr M denies backtracking on fake news law
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has denied that he is breaking his promise to repeal the controversial Anti-Fake News Act 2018.
He said he had instructed for the Act to be reviewed so he would understand the fake news law before scrapping it..
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has denied that he is breaking his promise to repeal the controversial Anti-Fake News Act 2018.
He said he had instructed for the Act to be reviewed so he would understand the fake news law before scrapping it
"Some opined that I will go back on (my words on) the anti-fake news law, it is not true. But I need to understand these laws before we can abolish the anti-fake news law," he told a press conference.
The government needs to study all relevant laws that stifle the freedom of the people, freedom of speech and press, he said.
The Anti-Fake News Act 2018, enacted in April by the previous BN government, carries a jail term of up to six years and a fine of up to RM500,000.
Critics have said that the law is excessively punitive, especially since there is no clear definition of what is considered fake news.
They added that the legislation might be used by the government to clamp down on dissenting views.
On May 13, Mahathir stated his new government would define clearly what constituted fake news and what did not.
A day later, he elaborated the government would study whether to repeal or keep the anti-fake news legislation.
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