Malaysia has for the first time jailed a man, who pleaded guilty to breaking the new law against fake news on Monday.
The man, Salah Salem Saleh Sulaiman, admitted to making and posting on YouTube a video accusing emergency services of responding slowly after a Palestinian Hamas member was gunned down in Kuala Lumpur.
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The ‘fake news’ legislation was passed in early April. It makes the deliberate dissemination of false information punishable by up to six years in jail and a hefty fine. It has sparked outrage from rights groups who believe it is aimed at cracking down on dissents.
Sulaiman, who did not have a lawyer and was wearing white robes and a green skullcap during a court appearance in Kuala Lumpur, said he was not aware of Malaysia’s laws, reports Digital Citizens.
“I agree I did a mistake because I didn’t ask what is the law of this country,” the Danish national said.
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