(MENAFN) Malaysia was declared to have passed a new bill to fight fake news, defying protests of lawmakers and civil society groups who claimed the law might be used in a way to silence opposition before the general election.
The bill imposes penalties against fake news, presenting an USD170.000 fine and a prison sentence of up to six years.
Malaysian parliament's Lower House has approved of the legislation with 123 votes in favor, while 64 voted against it following its second reading.
The de facto law minister overseeing the Bill's path into legislation, Azalina Othman stressed that "this law is not intended to restrict freedom of speech but to restrict the dissemination of fake news."
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