The much-talked-about 'Digital Security Bill, 2018' was passed in Parliament on Wednesday, reports UNB.
The bill will deal with cybercrimes, including hurting the religious sentiment, negative propaganda against the Liberation War and Bangabandhu, and illegal activities in e-transactions and spreading defamatory data.
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar moved the Bill and it was passed by voice vote.
Taking part in the discussion, Jatiya Party MP Fakhrul Imam said in the Bill, the concern of media people was not addressed and their opinions were ignored, which will push them at risk while performing their duties.
On the other hand, the inclusion of the British-era Official Secrets Act is regretful and frustrating, he said.
Fakhrul said its inclusion will hamper investigative journalism and research. "Once enacted, the law will be a blow to the main spirit of the Constitution, especially the freedom of speech and freedom of press. The digital security will create insecurity for the country's citizens," he said.
He along with some other opposition MPs, including Rawshan Ara Mannan, Shamim Haider Patwari, Mohammad Noman and Selim Uddin, proposed eliciting public opinions for the Bill, but it was rejected later.
Mustafa Jabbar said since 2015, his ministry had been trying to address the concerns of all sectors.
He said if anyone goes through the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee concerned, he/she will see how much it was discussed with journalists. "In all steps, we attached highest importance to the opinions of journalists. We've brought necessary changes as per their opinions," he said.
The minister said the law will open the door for ensuring freedom of speech and thoughts.
Regarding the inclusion of the Official Secrets Act in the Bill, he said there is no instance about any punishment under this law.
"This law is not for suppressing the newspapers or controlling the newspaper industry," Mustafa Jabbar said.
He categorically said the law will be applicable only for containing digital offences.
Mentioning that the future war will be a digital war, the minister said the country has to be secure in that war. "If we don't secure our country, we'll be held responsible," he added.
He described the law as a historical one for the country. "Many developed countries are regularly enquiring about the progress of the law. This law has to be followed by many countries across the globe. Because there's no law for the digital security," he said.
Citing the digital security law of Singapore, the minister said, "Anyone will find that we've made our law as heaven and that (Singapore law) will seem to be a jail."
He, however, accepted an aBSS adds: The Road Transport Bill, 2018 was passed in parliament keeping a provision of maximum five years' imprisonment and Taka 5 lakh fine or both for causing severe injury or death of any person due to reckless driving.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader moved the bill on Wednesday in the House which was unanimously passed by voice votes with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
Placing the bill, the minister said the new transport law will be enacted through replacing the existing Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1983.
The proposed act also has a provision of minimum six months and maximum two years' imprisonment and minimum Taka one lakh and maximum Taka 5 lakh fine for using fake driving licences.
Even minimum six months and maximum two years' jail and minimum Taka one lakh and maximum Taka 5 lakh fine are also there for using and displaying fake registration number on the vehicle, according to the proposed law.
The bill contains 14 sections and 126 articles while the existing law contains 177 articles and 12 schedules.
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