KUALA LUMPUR – Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has reassured Malaysians that the government’s new licensing regulations for social media firms, set to come into effect on January 1, 2025, will not hinder citizens’ access to digital services.
In a written response to a parliamentary question raised by Tuan Hassan bin Abdul Karim (Pasir Gudang-PH), Fahmi emphasised that the initiative was designed to enhance online safety without restricting the freedoms of users.
This comes in response to the concerns raised by Hassan in the Dewan Rakyat, and amid criticisms that the move could infringe on media freedom.
Fahmi clarified that the licensing requirement, which mandates social media service providers to obtain an Application Service Provider Class Licence (ASP(C)) under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), aims to create a safer online ecosystem.
“The licensing is to ensure service providers are responsible and play a crucial role in addressing harmful content, such as online fraud, sexual crimes, and cyberbullying,” he said.
He emphasised that the regulations are designed to balance regulatory needs with the protection of freedom of speech and information.
“The implementation of this licensing framework is intended to address online criminal issues without stifling innovation and development,” Fahmi added.
The minister’s assurances also come in the wake of an opinion piece by a local news portal, which criticised the government’s move as a threat to press freedom.
The piece argued that licensing could give authorities undue power to control media organisations, likening it to the restrictive Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA).
The piece also highlighted a history of media control in Malaysia, where mainstream media often pandered to the government, and social media emerged as a platform for more independent reporting.
The writer warned that the new regulations could lead to a similar fate for social media news portals, potentially stifling the very platforms that helped bring the current government to power.
Fahmi’s parliamentary response, however, suggests otherwise, as he insisted the licensing requirements would not affect users of internet messaging and social media services.
“Only service providers are required to obtain the relevant license from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Users will continue to enjoy a safer digital experience,” he assured.
Meanwhile, a netizen said that comments linking the upcoming Social Media Licensing regulations to media freedom were misleading and failed to acknowledge the government’s goal of protecting citizens, particularly children.
The netizen also pointed out that conflating these distinct categories and implying broader implications of the licensing requirement, without first clarifying with the MCMC, was inaccurate.
“Such misrepresentation creates unnecessary confusion, leads to fear mongering and undermines public understanding of the policy.” – November 19, 2024