PUTRAJAYA – Putrajaya has no plans to proceed with the implementation of a controversial directive requiring all internet service providers (ISPs) to execute a public domain name system (DNS) redirection method, said Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
“We have no intention of continuing (with such plans),” the minister told a post-cabinet meeting press conference at his ministry’s headquarters, here, today.
Fahmi, who is also the government spokesperson, said this when asked if the initiative by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) remains on the table.
On Sunday, Fahmi announced that he had instructed MCMC to halt its implementation of the DNS rerouting method, which was initially set to come into effect for ISPs by the end of this month.
Fahmi, on X, said that the decision to cancel the move was in line with input obtained during engagement sessions with stakeholders and feedback from members of the public.
When queried today on what went wrong regarding the move, which courted much backlash from certain quarters, Fahmi told reporters to refer to his X post in question, adding: “I have no intention to add anything else (to what was said in the post).”
He reiterated, however, that the government’s priority at the moment is to ensure a safe online space, particularly for children and families, as internet crimes continue to pose a risk to vulnerable communities.
More comprehensive measures, he said, will have to be formulated to address and solve the issue of online crimes, with MCMC set to continue engaging with stakeholders to gather feedback and suggestions on ensuring a safer internet.
Before he halted the move, Fahmi defended the MCMC directive requiring all ISPs to implement public DNS redirection by the end of this month, stating that the move is aimed at blocking harmful websites related to online gambling and pornography.
He also asserted that the directive was not intended to curtail freedom of speech.
Public DNS services can bypass government-imposed blocks, but with DNS redirection, requests to access restricted sites are rerouted to local DNS servers, thereby effectively blocking access.
Social media licensing can help protect children
On a separate matter, Fahmi said the government’s licensing requirement for social media platforms is expected to guarantee that such platforms are stricter in their restrictions against children having accounts.
“It’s not a policy issue (as) these social media platforms’ guidelines don’t allow children, for example, those under the age of 13, to sign up for an account,” the minister said.
“It’s an (enforcement) implementation issue. In reality, many children, some as young as 6 or 7, have various social media accounts.
“It is hoped that our social media licensing initiative will see these platforms being more serious in their efforts to prevent children from opening accounts.”
Fahmi said this when asked about whether Malaysia will follow in the footsteps of Australia, which yesterday announced its intention to initiate an age verification trial for social media. He cited concerns that platforms like Instagram and TikTok are having detrimental effects on the physical and mental young users’ wellbeing.
Australia’s proposal comes on the heels of similar legislative efforts in China, France, and parts of the United States, where governments have introduced restrictions to address concerns over issues like cyberbullying and the promotion of unrealistic beauty ideals on social platforms.
However, critics have raised concerns about such measures infringing upon young people’s freedom of expression and creating privacy risks. – September 11, 2024