5 July 2023
On 23 June 2023, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court acquitted a member of a Malaysian nationalist party of charges related to the spread of fake news during the COVID-19 pandemic, concerning, in particular, the role of Indian nationals in Malaysia as a source of infection and vaccine-related deaths.
The court noted that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case concerning the violation of relevant measures and in particular Section 4 of the Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance 2021 which punishes disinformation about COVID-19. Furthermore, the court stated that the defense had raised reasonable doubts regarding the application of the aforementioned provisions. The defendant was therefore acquitted.
