The Communications and Multimedia Ministry is reportedly studying legal amendments to curb the abuse of social media that could threaten national harmony.

shabery cheek at world development information day 301008 01 Malay-language daily Berita Harian quoted Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek today as saying that the ministry is now studying other nations’ approaches to tackle the issue.

He reportedly feared that such abuses would lead to the spread of anonymous and seditious information.

On the other hand, Shabery ( right ) said that the law must be executed properly so as not to curb the freedom of expression.

“All media practitioners - including social media handlers - need to be more responsible with the news content that they produce, because there is concern that it could become the source of racial and religious strife in this country,” he was quoted as saying in the daily.

He was reportedly commenting on calls from local NGOs to emulate Singapore’s recent move to regulate the online media in the country.