PARLIAMENT Putrajaya is working with both Facebook and Google in investigating cases of social media abuse, said Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Jailani Johari.

He told Dewan Rakyat this in the question-and-answer session today.
"This is because there are new challenges regarding the interpretation of Malaysian laws and the laws of the hosting countries of these platform providers," he explained.

He was responding to Sapawi Ahmad Wasali (BN-Sipitang) who asked on the actions taken by the government regarding monitoring and enforcement on those who had insulted the leadership and committed other wrongs.

"What were the actions taken and the punishment imposed, so that the community would be more careful when they use social media?" asked Sapawi.

Jailani pointed out the government had set up a committee chaired by the minister Salleh Said Keruak to tackle misuse of the Internet.

As of last month, 22 netizens were probed by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), while 399 websites have been blocked, he added.

Jailani said the committee was formed to ensure action on hatemongers who are against government institutions and prevent social media from becoming the cause of conflicts following the propagation of religious extremism, lies and hatred.