The Printing and Publications Act in Malaysia

The Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 is a legislation that requires all print media in Malaysia to obtain a licence and abide by its strict regulations. The license or permit must be renewed annually in order to publish in Malaysia.

This piece of legislation is enforced by the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs. The powers are vested in the Home Affairs Minister who can grant or deny any permit. The minister can also restrict or ban outright publications that are likely to endanger national security interest or create social unrest.

The Constitution of Malaysia allows the freedom of speech and for the press as well. However, there is a very crucial limitation. The Constitution provides that freedom of speech may be restricted by legislation "in the interest of security (or) public order.

Hence this means the government can enact legislation to determine the way information is disseminated by the mass media industry if the government feels that the national interest has been threatened.

The printing act comes from Printing Ordinance of 1948, introduced by the British Colonial government. It was revised in 1971 and later 1984. There has been quite a debate on the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 in Malaysia. The law was meant to maintain genuine news stories, create a regulated press sector, provide legal guidelines to reporters, and ensuring all printing abide to the law.

All publish materials must have ISBN number & name of printers & publishers.