KUALA LUMPUR: Civil society organizations and academics have criticized Malaysia’s recent changes to its internet rules, which include penalties that are several times heavier than the present provisions. They claim that the changes could be interpreted as a backdoor attempt to enact a legislation against “fake news.”
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil presented proposed amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) to parliament on December 2.
For offenses that presently carry fines of RM300,000 and jail terms of up to three years, the proposed punishments include fines of up to RM1 million and incarceration of up to 10 years.
According to news portal Scoop, with nine new offenses added, the heavier penalties might be applied to 25 infractions. For instance, a conviction under Section 233, which addresses inappropriate internet use, may result in a fine of RM500,000 and two years in prison, instead of the present penalty of RM50,000 and one year in prison.
One of the new offences is continuing to operate a business after a class license—a license to run a telecommunications network or service—has been revoked. Criminals face a maximum fine of RM500,000 and a five-year sentence in prison.
Critics claim that other proposed revisions would allow the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to manage and permit censorship by giving the commission more authority without supervision.
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