KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — “Comprehensive” amendments to two communications laws drafted in 1998 will be tabled in Parliament in October, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said today.

In a reply to Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao-Leung during Question Time in Parliament, the communications and multimedia minister said the amendments are to strengthen the laws to suit the current “Internet landscape”, which has changed drastically since 17 years ago.

“The ministry is drafting the amendments to improve the current Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 especially when it comes to provisions regarding administrative and enforcement.

“The revision is not just to manage issues regarding social media, but it is also strengthen it with other elements to achieve a digital nation status, or smart nation.

“In addition, the amendments will be comprehensive so the laws are in line with the current laws.

“These laws will also review the role of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to increase the performance of the telecommunication companies’ network in Malaysia especially in areas where there are citizens,” he told Parliament.

“These laws will also review the role of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to increase the performance of the telecommunication companies’ network in Malaysia especially in areas where there are citizens,” he told Parliament.

The Kemaman MP said the ministry has already met with a several stakeholders, including consumer groups and will include more soon.

“We expect to complete drafting bill in October and we will bring it to Parliament to be tabled,” he said.

In April, it was reported that mechanisms are being worked out to monitor news portals and social media for sedition after amendments to the Sedition Act 1948 was passed.

They include stricter control over social media users, bloggers and news portals.

Today, Ahmad Shabery said the amendments will also focus on development, with the MCMC working to ensure that every citizen will have access to broadband as the country aspires to be a developed nation in less than five years.

He said there will also be checks and balances on the MCMC, where the chief executive officer and chairman positions will no longer be held by the same person to ensure good governance.

“[The amendments will also include] MCMC’s role as the regulatory body including how to monitor telecommunication companies to ensure they do their jobs as well as manage issues relating to the media including social media,” he said.