The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) said it was deeply shocked and appalled by the Perikatan Nasional government’s decision to criminalise “fake news” under a new emergency ordinance and called on the State to stop using the emergency proclamation to stifle any criticism of the current administration.

"Without the necessary parliamentary checks and balances, the unfettered powers given to the current administration under the Emergency Proclamation and the Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance 2021, which comes into operation tomorrow, 12 March 2021, foretells the continued attempts by this government to use any means possible to undermine our fundamental rights and freedoms," said CIJ executive director Wathshlah G Naidu (above) in a statement today...