Deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching said the ministry was finalising the content of the bill together with the council’s protem committee, which consists of media industry representatives, academics and the public.

“This is to ensure the provisions in the bill are clear and that the council will meet its objectives,” she said when winding up the debate on the motion for the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s annual report and financial statement for 2021 and 2022 in the Dewan Rakyat.

She said that last May, the ministry was asked by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to refer the bill to the Malaysia Productivity Corporation for a regulatory impact analysis.

Teo said once the draft of the bill has been finalised and the analysis is completed, it will be submitted to the AGC and then to the Cabinet.

The council will develop and implement a code of reporting ethics and serve as a conduit between the media, the government and the public, as well as support the professional development of journalists.