The widely-condemned brand-new law to be studied again to determine its purpose.
Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today his incoming administration will re-examine the necessity of the Anti-Fake News Act, one of the last pieces of legislation passed by the defeated Barisan Nasional.
The prime-minister-elect told a press conference today that the law was a tool to cow public dissent.
“The law should be studied again to find out whether it is against fake news or political opponents.
Reuters
“At the moment, we see it as a law meant to curb or silence opposition,” he said.
In the midst of the campaign period last week, Mahathir was investigated under the anti-fake news law on May 2 over his allegations that his private jet was sabotaged.
He had said that he suspected the aircraft that was to fly him from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, where he was to file his candidacy, was sabotaged after the pilot discovered a tyre problem just before take-off.
Under the ruling of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the government had passed the law in April, which criminalises “fake news”.
The act had been criticised and perceived to be aimed at curbing dissent and free speech ahead of GE14 held yesterday.
