KUALA LUMPUR – Social media giant Meta is in the final stages of obtaining an Application Service Provider (ASP) licence in Malaysia, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He said that the parent company of Facebook and Instagram is finalising the necessary documentation to comply with legal requirements as part of the licensing process, Bernama reported.
“Meta is in the final stages of submitting several documents,” he said during an appearance on RTM’s talk show On The Table, which covered the topic ‘Social Media Licensing in Malaysia: Key Insights & Impact’.
Fahmi added that other platform providers such as Google and X (formerly known as Twitter) are undergoing assessments to ensure compliance with regulations.
However, he noted that Google maintains its stance of not being a social media platform, although the ministry holds firm in its position that certain parts of YouTube under Google, such as YouTube Shorts, function similarly to social media platforms, resembling TikTok.
“While X has claimed to have less than eight million users in Malaysia, which exempts it from the licensing requirement… we are currently assessing these claims and continuing our engagements to ensure all platforms comply with the guidelines,” Fahmi said.
The Communications Minister also revealed ongoing discussions with Microsoft, the owner of LinkedIn, following reports indicating the platform’s Malaysian user base could exceed eight million in the first quarter of 2025.
“We’ve reached out to Microsoft because LinkedIn estimates their user base will surpass the threshold. Additionally, we’ve received complaints about job scams on LinkedIn, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is actively engaging with them to address these concerns,” he said.
Fahmi also emphasised the government’s commitment to enforcing licensing for platforms that exceed the regulatory user threshold, while balancing regulation with freedom of expression and ensuring online safety.
“This issue is not about freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by our Federal Constitution. This is about online safety. It’s about making sure that while we have faster, cheaper mobile-accessible internet, we also want safer internet, especially for children and families,” he said.
He added that people are still free to express themselves, but they must be mindful not to incite violence or show disrespect to the Malay rulers.
“However, when it comes to children, particularly, we must draw a line. The most worrying thing that I encountered in my discussions was child sexual abuse material,” he said.
Earlier this month, Fahmi said Meta is expected to join Tencent (WeChat), ByteDance (TikTok), and Telegram as a licensed social media provider in Malaysia.
According to Fahmi, these platforms were approved as of January 7, with Meta’s documentation nearing completion.
Google, which operates YouTube, and X are still in discussions with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Google maintains it is not a social media platform, but the ministry holds that YouTube Shorts functions similarly to TikTok.
Fahmi has asked MCMC to seek clarification from YouTube about separating Shorts into a standalone app.
Additionally, MCMC is verifying whether X’s user base in Malaysia is below eight million and evaluating LinkedIn’s status as a social media platform.
Fahmi assured that platforms remain responsive to removing illegal content, such as gambling ads, even before completing the licensing process. – January 17, 2025