Fahmi: CMA amendments protect free speech, not restrict it

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 — Proposed changes to the Communications and Multimedia Act would enhance Malaysians’ freedom of speech by clarifying overly broad provisions, said Fahmi Fadzil.

The communications minister told Astro Awani in an interview that the amendments included introducing the term “grossly offensive”, which would raise the bar for when satire and parody would be criminal.

“We want to uphold the rights of Malaysians to freedom of speech. At the same time, we set certain boundaries and aim to clarify these boundaries,” he said.

“From now on, satire and parody will no longer automatically be considered crimes. This means satire and parody are not crimes, but they still have their limits.”

When asked if the definition of “grossly offensive” could be summarised as the so-called 3R issues (race, religion, royalty), the minister disagreed.