by ANIS ZALANI / pic BERNAMA

THE government is yet to discuss repealing the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil (picture).

This comes after his comments that the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) is supposed to be a self-regulatory body.

“We have not arrived at that discussion (to repeal the PPPA) as of right now.

“A lot of the focus is on the form and function of the media council in order to bring the bill to the Attorney General, as well as to Parliament,” he told reporters after the World Press Freedom Forum (WPFD) 2023 today.

However, he declined to comment further when asked about his personal thoughts on the matter. 

In its general election manifesto, Pakatan Harapan (PH) promised to review and abolish laws that restrict freedom of speech, including the PPPA.

Meanwhile, in April this year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was reported as saying that the government has no plans to revoke the PPPA, as it remains “essential for preserving public peace”.