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KUANTAN: The Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance (No. 2) 2021, which came into effect yesterday, does not aim to curb the freedom of the media and prevent the parties from criticizing the government, stressed Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk. Saifuddin Abdullah (photo).
Instead, he said, it was implemented to address fake news about Covid-19 and the Emergency Proclamation.
“There is a lot of criticism towards this ordinance and I want to explain, those that accuse the government of restricting freedom of the press, it is not actually because the ordinance refers to fake news on two topics only, namely Covid-19 and the emergency.
“We will distinguish between criticism of the government and fake news. We want to take action on fake news. So I hope that everyone, including politicians, appreciates what we are doing … if they want to criticize ministers and so on, it is their right and we must be smart in our responses, “he said.
He said this at a press conference after attending a ceremony to launch the Indera Mahkota constituency e-enrollment program and deliver tablets to Dewan Atabara school students here today.
The ordinance establishes a fine of not more than RM100,000 or a jail term not to exceed three years, or both, upon conviction, and in the case of a continuing offense, to an additional fine not to exceed RM1, 000 for each day the crime continues after conviction.
The ordinance also defines fake news as any news, information, data and reports, which are or are totally or partially false related to Covid-19 or the Emergency Proclamation, either in the form of features, images or audio recordings or in any other. form capable of suggesting words.
It is applicable to all people, regardless of their nationality and whether or not the crime was committed outside Malaysia.
Commenting on today’s program, he said that through the E-Tuition pilot project, students in the constituency would be able to follow learning online at community Internet centers, with the participation of 15 teachers teaching various subjects.
The project, in cooperation with MSD Innovation Sdn Bhd, is expected to be fully operational in April and will benefit many students in the constituency.
Earlier, Saifuddin presented the students with 100 tablets from MYNIC Berhad and Huawei. Called
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