KUALA LUMPUR – Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) director Zaid Malek has urged the government not to use the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict as an excuse to restrict social media usage in the country.
He referred to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil's statement that his ministry is taking action to “strengthen compliance of law within social media platforms” because an Al-Jazeera report highlighted “Malaysia as a prime example of fake news”.
“It seems any excuse will do for this government, previously relying on the so-called ‘3Rs’ and now citing supposed fake news circulation on the Palestine-Israeli conflict as a reason to restrict.
“It is deplorable that the government is exploiting an international conflict high in the loss of human lives to justify its domestic agenda of stifling dissent and criticism,” he said in a statement today.
He also urged the government to stop plans to introduce more laws or regulations or exert unwarranted governmental pressure on social media platforms, as existing laws are sufficient.
“Section 505 of the Penal Code, which criminalises statements conducing to public mischief, would be enough to encompass the concerns the government is claiming to address,” he said.
Section 505 of the Penal Code states that whoever makes, publishes, or circulates any statement, rumour, or report shall be imprisoned, which may extend to two years, with a fine, or with both. – October 13, 2023
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