'Most dictatorial govt': Ambiga slams new social media licensing move

Once a supporter of Pakatan Harapan, former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan, who led the civil society movement calling for institutional reforms, today chastised the government over its latest move to impose new licensing laws for social media operators.

Taking to X, Ambiga said she never imagined that a Harapan-led government would go back on its election promises of reforming archaic laws, including the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984.

"I never thought I would see the day when a Harapan-led government which ran on the platform of fighting for the abolishment of the PPPA would instead, keep it and impose new licensing laws,” she said.

“UG (unity government) we can now crown you the most dictatorial government we have ever had. Syabas!” she said.

Her remarks were in response to a government announcement that all social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in the country must apply for a licence.

Others have also raised concerns that the requirement would be open to abuse by the authorities.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that the measure would take effect on Jan 1, 2025, following the introduction of a new regulatory framework for social media and internet messaging services starting Aug 1.

The measure will be enforced via the Class Licence for Application Service Providers under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

In defending the move, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said its purpose was to hold all social media platform providers accountable, tighten standard operating procedures and curb cybercrimes.

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