Hoax Spreader in Malaysia Threatened 10 Years in Prison
Ahead of the 2018 Malaysia election, the Government of the neighbor states proposed a bill (RUU) to counter the spread of false news alias hoaxes, both in public places, blogs and social media.
"The bill (RUU) seeks to keep the public against breeding false news while ensuring the honor of the right to freedom of speech and expression under the Federal Constitution," the Malaysian government wrote in the bill.
For the definition problem, the Malaysian government defines it as, "False, wholly or partially, false, news, information, data, reports, or in any other way implying such words or thoughts."
It means memes containing incorrect information can also be picked up by this bill.
When checking the bill, it was found that people who fund the creation of fake news can also be punished.
People who spread fake news related to other people selling products in social media can be caught in the law. A person accused of spreading false news through a speech in a public forum may also be punished.
When considered, the bill is quite similar to the Law on ITE in Indonesia. In fact, the ITE Act itself is a 'rubber article' which often cause controversy.
If passed, this punishment can also apply to people in other countries who spread false news of Malaysians.
Penalties for offenders are a maximum fine of 500,000 ringgit or maximum 10 years imprisonment, or it could be both.
Opposed Opposition
The opposition denounced the bill as being suspected of frightening the press and the people, especially at this time Prime Minister Najib Razak was stumbling over allegations of corruption.
"This is an attack on the press and an attempt to frighten the people before GE14 (General Election 14, 14th Election)," lawmaker Ong Kian Ming said on his Twitter account.
Ong Kian Ming reminded that some of the words in the bill could cause controversy, especially on the phrase 'wholly or partially false'.
He also alluded to the relevant section of the penalties that can be applied to Malaysian foreigners.
"Will it be used in non-Malaysian journalists who publish news about 1MDB abroad?" he said.
What is a 1MDB Scandal?
1MBD is an abbreviation of 1Malaysia Development Berhad is an investment agency established Government of the United States to provide benefits to its people. The idea, 1MDB will invest in a number of projects around the world, then the profits will be returned to the people of Malaysia.
However, according to US federal agencies, large amounts of funds are actually drained by those who are corrupt and have connections with the authorities.
On Wednesday, July 20, 2016, the US Department of Justice filed a civil suit in an effort to seize more than $ 1 billion worth of assets as part of an investigation into 1MDB.
Najib Razak's stepdaughter, Riza Aziz and his close associate, Low Taek Jho are considered responsible for the transfer of US $ 3.5 billion from 1MDB.
Although the lawsuit did not mention the name, it was stated that the money of US $ 700 was deposited in a Malaysian Official 1 personal account - later confirmed as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Prime Minister Razak and Putrajaya have repeatedly denied any connection with the scandal.
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