Printing Presses & Publications Act 1984 and Rules & Deposit of Library Material Act 1986 [As At 15th February 2022]

[As At 15th February 2022]

Act 301 – An Act to regulate the use of printing presses and the printing, importation, production, publishing and distribution of publications and for matters connected therewith.

Act 331 – An Act to make provision for the collection, conservation, bibliographical control and use of library material published in Malaysia and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Detailed Contents of Printing Presses & Publications Act 1984:

In Malaysia, the printing and publishing industries as well as the deposit of library items are both governed by the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA) and the Deposit of Library Material Act 1986. While the Deposit of Library Material Act mandates publishers to place copies of their works with specified libraries, the PPPA governs the printing and publication of newspapers, books, and other materials.

The main clauses of the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984 and the Deposit of Library Material Act of 1986 are listed below:

1. The Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) of 1984 mandates that publishers obtain a licence in order to produce and publish publications such as books, newspapers, and other items. With regards to censorship, sedition, and defamation, the Act also governs the selling and dissemination of certain publications. The PPPA also gives the Minister the authority to revoke or suspend permits in certain situations, including those involving national security.
2. PPPA Rules: The PPPA Rules contain additional information on the application process for getting a licence, the regulations for publishing and printing, the requirements for renewing licences, and the costs due.
3. Deposit of Library Material Act of 1986: This law mandates that publishers deposit copies of their publications with the National Library of Malaysia and the authorised state libraries within a certain time frame following publication. This provision guarantees the preservation and public accessibility of published materials.
4. Penalties: The Deposit of Library Material Act and the PPPA both provide fines for breaking their rules. In contrast to the Deposit of Library Material Act, which imposes fines for failure to deposit materials or for providing false or incomplete information, the PPPA imposes fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the nature of the infraction.
5. Changes: Since their enactment, the PPPA and the Deposit of Library Content Act have undergone numerous changes, with the most recent changes taking effect on February 15, 2022.

The Deposit of Library Material Act of 1986 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984 are both accessible on the website of the Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia. On the same page, you can also find the Rules issued under the PPPA.

Printing Presses & Publications Act 1984 Contains:

Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (Act 301)
Printing Presses and Publications (Licences And Permits) Rules 1984
Printing Presses and Publications (Importation of Publications) (Deposit) Rules 1985
Deposit of Library Material Act (Act 331)