MPs call for CMA changes to be referred to special committee first

PARLIAMENT | At least three lawmakers in the Dewan Rakyat today proposed that the amendment to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA) be referred to a special committee to refine its definitions.

During his debate, Selayang MP William Leong suggested that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) review the amendment.

“I propose providing an opportunity for all parties, including PAC, to revisit this amendment and focus on refining its definitions, not the policies, but the definitions themselves,” said the PKR lawmaker.

Leong (above) argued that while the amendment deserves support in terms of policy and concept, the definitions it introduces are overly broad.

“This becomes problematic because it is impractical to list all activities that are permitted or prohibited,” he added before concluding his speech.

Perikatan Nasional MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan agreed with Leong, advocating that the amendment be referred to Parliament's select committee instead.

‘Excessive indecency’

The bill was tabled for its first reading on Dec 2.

DAP’s Ramkarpal Singh echoed the call for further review, citing concerns over the lack of clarity in the definition of “excessive indecency” introduced in the proposed changes.

Ramkarpal also highlighted the risk of Section 233 being prone to abuse.

“The primary issue previously was the vagueness of the term 'offensive.' Does this amendment to Section 233 provide any clearer definition? Particularly with the introduction of 'excessive indecency'.

“I have received numerous explanations to interpret this term, but none offered definitive clarity. There remains no certainty as to what constitutes 'excessive indecency’,” he said.

Yesterday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil described the proposed amendment to Section 233 as a “game changer”.

Fahmi explained that the amendment would reclassify offences involving the sale of online pornography and paedophilia as seizable crimes, empowering the police to act against offenders.

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