KUALA LUMPUR – The Bar Council will have a say in proposed amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 that aim to balance freedom of speech with restrictions, Communications Minister Fahmni Fadzil said.
The amendments have been finalised and will be tabled in Parliament after the Bar Council and the cabinet approves it, he told a special chambers session on CMA amendments today.
Fahmi was answering Syahredzan Johan (Bangi-PH), who asked how the law would balance freedom of speech while protecting society from offensive content.
Fahmi (Lembah Pantai-PH) said the amendments had taken into account views of various stakeholders, ministries, government agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Fahmi said the CMA amendments will not restrict freedom of expression but will instead ensure this right is exercised responsibly to curtail the harm that comes from online crimes, particularly with regard to people's safety.
“The people should be reminded that the right to freedom of expression provided for under the Federal Constitution is not absolute, where Article 10(2) of the Federal Constitution allows Parliament, through legislation, to impose any restrictions deemed necessary or expedient, among others, in the interests security of the Federation or any part thereof, good relations with other countries, public order or moral principles,” he said.
The minister also said that Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has investigated 3,077 cases under Section 233 of Act 588 from 2009 to June 15, 2024.
According to him, 151 cases among them were reported as offences involving obscene (72), discordant (3), false (25), threatening (3) and offensive (48) elements. – July 9, 2024
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