JournalismPakistan.com | Published February 06, 2020
Join our WhatsApp channel
Wan Noor Hayati Wan Alias, a journalist and union activist was charged in a Kuala Lumpur court for spreading fake news on the coronavirus.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJM) urge for all charges to be dropped and for the immediate release of Hayati.
Hayati appeared in Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s court on February 5, charged under section 505 (b) of the Penal code for posting statements on her Facebook account “Ibu Yati”.
The charge sheet stated Hayati allegedly made three posts, which were read at 10pm on January 26 by Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department. One post said “This morning, the news said that 1,000 people from China had arrived in Penang … I wonder if LGE (Lim Guan Eng) will call for an emergency or curfew if he is affected?” The charges allege the journalists’ social media posts violated the code for publishing and circulating rumors likely to cause fear or alarm to the public.
Hayati was unrepresented and plead not guilty before Magistrate Tawfiq Affandy Chin. While the prosecutor requested the judge refuse bail, bail was set at RM 12,000 (USD 2,910), or RM 4,000 (USD 972) for each charge. The case is scheduled to be heard on March 11. If found guilty, Hayati faces up to two years in prison, a fine or both.
An award-winning journalist who has written for various media outlets, namely Berita Harian and New Straits Times, Hayati currently also serves as an executive member and deputy general treasurer for NUJM. According to NST, the legislation the journalist has been charged under is commonly used to silence critics, opposition leaders, and activists.
The coronavirus has opened the gates on a spate of arrests under the guise of “fake news” and misinformation in the region, with an increasing number of governments using legislation to criminalize journalists and others. Between Malaysia, India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Hong Kong at least 16 people are reported as being arrested for social media posts on the virus.
The Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng (LGE) mentioned in Hayati’s post is well-known for his tactics aimed at silencing the media. In 2011, he sued two media outlets for defamation for being named a “Singapore agent”. The case concluded in 2019 with the complainant receiving MYR 650,000 (USD 157,880) in damages.
The NUJM said taking action against journalists or media in a democratic country like Malaysia for expressing free speech will be seen as a “regression in our democracy in the eyes of the public, not mentioning the international society as a whole”.
“We have no objection if the authorities wanted to investigate in combating fake news, but journalists are bound by parameters of ethical journalism and the rule of law. We also believe that as a journalist she had the right to voice out her concerns to the members of the public ... who are mainly not well informed by the government over the situation of the coronavirus outbreak.”
NUJM has launched a fund raising to pay Hayati’s bail and expressed its gratitude to fellow journalists and lawyer New Sin Yew for offering his pro bono services. Hayati is a mother of a 10-year-old son.
South East Asia Journalists Union (SEAJU) also regret the charges. “Her statement was something any citizen of a democracy is entitled to make. We condemn the use of the penal code to put anyone in jail to spread the information”.
The IFJ said: “Today in Malaysia we’ve seen the outcome and anticipated fallout of so-called fake news legislation. This is also a disgraceful attack on journalism and those who ask questions of those in power. We are all Ibu Yati today—journalism is not a crime. We condemn this attack and urge authorities to drop all charges and urgently review Malaysia’s penal code.”—An IFJ media release/Photo: Azneal Ishak/Malaysiakini.com
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.