Malaysia opposition blocks repeal of ‘fake news’ law

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s opposition-led Senate blocked an effort to repeal a law against "fake news" on Wednesday, presenting the first major challenge for the new government of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed.

Mahathir, 93, secured a stunning election win in May, ending the decade-long rule of former premier Najib Razak and changing Malaysia’s government for the first time in six decades.

But the Senate, or upper house of parliament, is still dominated by an opposition led by the defeated Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which can block bills and delay government initiatives.

Malaysia was among the first few countries to introduce an anti-fake news law although other countries in the region, including Singapore and the Philippines, have said they are considering how to tackle "fake news".

Critics accused Najib using the law to curb free speech ahead of the May general election as his government tried to fend off criticism over accusations of graft and mismanagement.

In August, the lower house of parliament voted out the Anti-Fake News 2018 bill, which set out fines of up to 500,000 ringgit ($123,000) and jail of up to six years for reporting "wholly or partly false" news.

But BN Senate leaders and members of the right-wing Islamist party, Parti Islam se-Malaysia on Wednesday blocked its repeal.

The bill will go back to the lower house of parliament for another vote. Co-opted by US President Donald Trump, the term "fake news" has become part of the standard repertoire of leaders in authoritarian countries to describe media reports and organisations critical of them.