PUTRAJAYA – Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has slammed tech giant Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, for not respecting media freedom by taking down postings relating to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s latest meeting with a Hamas leader.
He said he would hold a meeting with all social media platform providers next month to get an explanation about why such posts uploaded by media outlets were taken down.
“I regret that this was done by an organisation based in the United States, and they did not respect the rights of the media which are using their platforms,” he said during a post-cabinet press conference at his ministry, here today.
“God-willing, we will meet with all social media platforms in June and I will raise this matter and get an explanation, so reports about (Anwar’s) official activities are not subject to (removal).”
Fahmi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued Meta a letter to seek an explanation for the removed posts.
He cited similar cases in the past where posts of Anwar’s speech during the unity government’s rally in solidarity of Palestine last year were taken down but was reuploaded following complaints by the government.
Several media firms, such as Malaysiakini BM and Sinar Harian, informed the ministry that their reports about Anwar’s meeting with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh had been taken down for containing “symbols, praise or support of people and organisations that we (Meta) define as dangerous”.
Upon inspection, Fahmi said none of the posts had aspects claimed by Meta.
Asked whether Anwar’s meeting could lead to economic backlash from Western nations, Fahmi said the government was not involved in Hamas’ militia.
“The government’s stance is we have no relation with Hamas’ militant wing, but all political parties in Malaysia have a relationship with its political wing.
“(This is) on the basis of our fight to uphold Palestine… We take appropriate action that does not contradict the law and the ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ principle.”
Earlier, Anwar admitted that his meeting with Ismail could cause anxiety among allies of Malaysia – particularly the West.
However, Anwar said the meeting was to request Hamas to consider the views of various parties for a speedy and peaceful settlement of the Gaza conflict.
He added that he could see that the Hamas leader was adopting an open attitude to seek a settlement but Israel must stop its atrocities in Gaza and attacks in the West Bank. – May 15, 2024