KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Amanah Negara Youth believes the government has been too “soft” with those who abuse the Internet and social media, especially those who spread fake news, seditious lies and stoke racial and religious sentiment.
Its chief, Mohd Sany Hamzan, said it was also disappointed that the government had suspended prosecution under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 on the basis that it was a persecution of the people.
“Things have become even worse as the authorities now have no alternative to that particular section and as a result, there is now wonton spreading of fake news and racial sentiments online.
“The rioting incident at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple (in USJ 25, Putra Heights) is proof that fake news and racial sentiments have inflamed the people of this country,” he said in a statement.
Sany said the government’s action in suspending use of Section 233 of the act should also be questioned considering the country has nothing to replace it at the moment.
He said Malaysia was a country which had people of different social, cultural and religious backgrounds and the main factors which allowed unity and harmony to prevail were strong laws and effective enforcement of these laws.
Sany said, following the May 13, 1969 incident, Malaysia made actions which could threaten the harmony and unity of the races a serious offence.
“Various acts were put into place to counter such problems, and among the good ones was the Communications and Multimedia Act, in particular Section 233.
“Section 233 was not put in for political reasons but to make the abuse of Internet lines by spreading pornographic, lewd, fake, threatening material for the purpose of hurting, abusing, threatening or disturbing people an offence so that public order can be maintained.
“So, if the government gambling with the security and peace of the country merely to win the hearts of voters and show them that Pakatan Harapan is keeping its promises?”
Sany said the government must respect the decision of the high court which had prior to this acknowledged that Section 233 did not go against the Federal Constitution.
As such, he said, the government stand that the section was “draconian” and open to abuse by parties in falsely arresting, investigating or prosecuting someone was not accurate at all.
Sany said there can be no room for such abuses as decisions to prosecute someone fell to the public prosecutor.
