Agong wants to combat red tape culture

Sultan Ibrahim wants government service systems overhaul to combat corruption, inefficiency; warns public against online scams and identity theft

12:08 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has urged the government to improve its service systems by adopting more efficient and transparent digital technology, stressing that such measures are necessary to combat corruption, abuse of power, and bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, the King said the red tape culture has long complicated the rakyat’s dealings with government services and must be addressed. 

His royal address marked the opening of the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament, which is set to run for 18 days. Lawmakers will debate the speech for seven days starting February 4, followed by winding-up sessions by ministries from February 19 to 25. The Dewan Negara will sit for 13 days beginning March 3.

Sultan Ibrahim also called for stronger cybersecurity measures, noting that while efforts to attract foreign investments in the technology and digital sector are welcome, they should be complemented by improvements to digital infrastructure and the digital economy. 

He reminded the public to remain vigilant against online crimes, particularly financial fraud by scammers and identity theft.

Sultan Ibrahim also called for strict measures to curb the spread of slanderous and seditious messages online, stating that such content has caused confusion, hostility, and division among the rakyat. He said the government must take proactive steps to address this issue by ensuring accurate and reliable information is disseminated.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s social media licensing requirement, introduced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), took effect on January 1. The rule applies to social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in the country.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil previously said the initiative aims to protect users from online threats such as fraud, gambling, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes against children. The licensing process is also part of efforts to regulate online platforms and ensure compliance with local laws, particularly regarding content moderation and user data.

On January 28, the Communications Ministry launched a fact-checking chatbot on WhatsApp called Sebenarnya.my, aimed at verifying false information as part of efforts to curb misinformation and promote digital literacy. While currently limited to text-based verification, the chatbot is expected to expand its capabilities to include images and videos in the future. – January 3, 2025

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