Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak said the planned amendments to the country's communications and Internet laws will not be tabled in Parliament this sitting.

He said the delay is so that all stakeholders can be properly consulted for the amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act (MCMC Act).

"It is indeed very much the intention of the ministry to table the amendments of CMA 1998 and MCMC Act 1998 by March 2016.

"However, since the amendments would have direct impact on national and public interest, we want to make sure that the relevant stakeholders and clients are well informed and engaged so that all the concerns and needs pertaining to CMA 1998 and MCMC Act 1998 are addressed," he said in a statement yesterday.

Salleh said consultations have also been made with significant agencies to ensure that the amendments would be in harmony with other relevant domestic laws.

The Parliament sitting commenced on Monday and will only conclude on April 7. The next sitting will begin on May 16.

The planned amendments come amid the government's move to ban news portal The Malaysian Insider .

The amendments have raised concern particularly among civil society due to worry that it will curb internet freedom.

Gerakan Media Marah (Geramm) has already pledged to mount a social media campaign against the planned amendments.

Other media groups are also bracing for tighter controls and are gearing for a campaign against the amendments.