Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian government on Monday proposed a law to combat "fake news" which could see offenders jailed for 10 years, sparking fears authorities aimed to stifle criticism as elections loom.

Prime Minister Najib Razak has already been targeting critics in politics and the media that have attacked him over allegations that huge sums were looted from the sovereign wealth fund. Najib and the fund deny any wrongdoing.

The proposed law, which was introduced in Parliament on Monday, fuelled fears the government was seeking to intensify a crackdown before elections, which must be called by August but are widely expected sooner.

Japan media law

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to repeal a law requiring broadcasters to show impartiality, a step critics fear will lead to sensational reporting and polarise views, just as a similar move has been blamed for doing in the US.

Abe has also said he wants to overhaul the broadcast law to put traditional television channels on equal footing with online media. Agencies