Date : 20 Apr 2012       Time : 1300 MST

The Printing Presses and Publications (Amendment) Bill 2012 aimed at removing the 'absolute power' of the minister in passing or rejecting the licence for printing presses was passed by the dewan rakyat today.  The bill among others amended Sub-section 3(3) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 2007 to do away with the need to refer to the 'full discretion' of the minister in granting or rejecting the application for a printing press. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Abu Seman Yusop, when winding up the debate on the amendment, said the amendments were important to strengthen efforts at protecting the sensitivities of the multi-racial society in Malaysia.