PM assures freedom of speech on social media

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed that there will be freedom of speech on social media despite the government’s plans to license and regulate such platforms.

This was amid pushback from activists, including former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan who labelled Anwar’s administration “the most dictatorial government.”

“Freedom must be given for people to speak out, whether they agree or are reprimanding or objecting,” Anwar said at the launch of National Security Month in Putrajaya today.

He reiterated that planned controls over social media platforms are to curb crimes such as cyberbullying, child abuse, and financial scams.

“Some use social media to abuse others to the extent that suicide was committed, sexually abusing children. Is this reasonable?

“When we say we must restrict (such crimes), they say don’t restrict freedom.

“Is it freedom to lie, freedom to steal, freedom to cause others to kill themselves, and so on?” he asked.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that the measure would be enforced on Aug 1 through the Class Licence for Application Service Providers under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

In her criticism yesterday of the government’s latest move to impose new licensing laws for social media operators, Ambiga further accused the Pakatan Harapan-led government of abandoning its promises to reform archaic laws, including the Printing Presses and Publication Act (PPPA) of 1984.

Human Rights Lawyer Eric Paulsen also criticised the move, claiming it would open up opportunities for abuse by the authorities.

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