In August, three months after coming to power, the new Pakatan Harapan government in Malaysia repealed the controversial Anti-Fake News Act 2018. This was the first significant step by the ruling party in fulfilling its campaign promise to improve press freedom. A few days earlier, the prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, appointed the former group editor-in-chief […]

The Malaysian government is tightening its grip on the media ahead of general elections scheduled be held before June. A new law passed by country’s parliament last week penalizes the spreading of “fake news” with six years’ imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 ringgit (approx. 105,000 euros). A specialized committee consisting of government bodies, such […]

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has blocked one of the most popular Malaysian blogging platforms after the company did not comply with a request to remove a post by Sarawak Report that allegedly contained “false content”.

Malaysian authorities should drop charges against a journalist who aired allegations of corruption involving the country’s prime minister, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today following news that an arrest warrant has been issued for Sarawak Report founder Clare Rewcastle Brown. The head of Malaysia’s Criminal Investigation Department, Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh, said in a […]