PPPA changes to tighten regulations still 'rumours' for now, says PKR MP

Another government lawmaker has downplayed concerns raised by stakeholders on reported proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin described concerns raised over tighter regulations for media publishers and practitioners as based on “rumours”.

“I think these are rumours, right? The Home Ministry will address this issue and I think they will bring it to the Parliamentary Select Committee as well.

“These are just rumours, for now,” he said.

The PKR MP said this when asked what he would do as a backbencher in the Dewan Rakyat to make sure there are no regressive amendments passed, for example, the purported changes to the PPPA.

On Saturday, the National Union Journalists Malaysia (NUJM), Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) jointly raised alarm bells over Putrajaya’s purported proposal to amend the PPPA, which included imposing a licensing requirement for online media.

The groups said it had received information that the proposed amendments include reinstating the requirement for licence renewal every three years and expanding the definition of publication to include digital and electronic content.

In response, DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok said if the amendments are true, they could further undermine Malaysia’s already fragile press freedom and betray the government’s commitment to transparency and openness.

In defence of Anwar

Sim earlier defended the Anwar Ibrahim-led federal administration against a “D Grade” given by Bersih as part of the electoral reform coalition’s mid-term evaluation.

“As backbenchers from PKR, we still have (reform) aspirations and we’re still demanding more institutional reforms.

“Yes, we will do our job. We promise that. But we understand that all reforms require time, patience, and a steady hand.

“We need the prime minister to have a steady hand. He is very experienced, he knows when to do certain things,” said Sim who expressed confidence in Anwar’s ability to boost economic growth that will spur other reforms.

Sim went on to state a list of reforms executed including passing constitutional amendments on citizenship rights, as well as abolishing the mandatory death penalty, which he claimed was “not appreciated” by Bersih.

Bersih in launching its mid-term evaluation last night attributed the poor grade to the coalition government’s failure to carry out significant institutional reforms.

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