KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to the Printing and Publications Act (PPPA) will only be tabled after the government consults stakeholders.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this after meeting National Press Club of Malaysia president Datuk Ahirudin Attan and lawyer Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed last week to discuss issues affecting journalists.
Speculation has grown that the government plans to amend the colonial-era PPPA.
Media groups, including the National Union of Journalists Malaysia, the Centre for Independent Journalism, and Gerakan Media Merdeka, have raised concerns that such amendments could impact press freedom.
Civil society groups have long called for the PPPA's repeal, arguing it restricts freedom of expression.
Saifuddin said the government is currently prioritising amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA).
Yesterday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil tabled amendments to the CMA for the first reading.
The proposed changes aim to hold social media platforms accountable for online harm.