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Malaysia in transition

Malaysia scraps controversial 'fake news' law

Critics feared arbitrary enforcement of Najib's last-ditch legislation

Malaysia, which ran ads against fake news like this one in a train station, appears to be signaling a renewed commitment to press freedom.   © Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia's parliament has moved to repeal a law banning "fake news," reversing controversial legislation hastily passed under former Prime Minister Najib Razak ahead of the historic general election in May.

The lower house on Thursday passed a bill to abolish the law, local media reported. Critics had feared the law could be used arbitrarily to stifle dissent.

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