It was perhaps a surprise that the debate over repeal took some three hours.

There were a number of charges brought and there has been at least one conviction. Presumably, the person convicted is now entitled to a pardon. If so, that would be unfortunate because his offence, of claiming to write a report of a murder, saying that he had personal knowledge when in fact he did not, was an example of the conduct that many countries are trying to contain.

However, there is a new-found media freedom in Malaysia, which the media is struggling to come to terms with: it has not, for several decades, been able - even encouraged - to criticise the government and, so long as the criticisms are fair and justified, that is their position. Several news websites have appeared, often written in excruciating English, with a somewhat salacious tone but being careful to write stories that they can back up. After all, fake news is just a buzzword for the long-derided opinion without substance. Where there are demonstrable facts, it's not fake.