Bersih is like family to me, says Fahmi

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he did not mean to single out Bersih for not attending the engagement sessions on the licensing of social media platforms and internet messaging services.

In fact, he said the electoral reform group is like a family to him as he has been involved with the group since its early days.

“Bersih is like a family to me. I communicated with the chairperson (Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz) and we exchanged views.

"I informed him that I did not originally intend to name Bersih but the media asked about its presence, so I mentioned it,” he told reporters after an event at the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority this morning.

“We will manage this issue properly. What is important is that we want all social media platforms to understand that Malaysia is a sovereign state with laws that must be complied with. They are no exception,” he added.

Bersih was disappointed with Fahmi for discrediting those who were not present at the engagement sessions that the latter organised over the issue.

The group then invited Fahmi to participate in a public forum on the matter. However, it is unclear whether he has accepted the invitation or not.

The minister previously told a press conference that 79 bodies had been invited to engagement sessions but only 27 attended.

Aside from CIJ, attendees included the Bar Council, Article 19, Suara Rakyat Malaysia, United Nations Children’s Fund, National Union of Journalists Malaysia, Justice for Sisters, and Legal Dignity.

Muda and Gerakan Media Merdeka were among those absent.

‘Wan Saiful’s claim incorrect’

Fahmi also denied Bersatu leader Wan Saiful Wan Jan’s claims that the opposition was not involved in the decision to license social media platforms and internet messaging services.

“That is incorrect, we have held at least three (discussions) and I understand that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will open engagement sessions once several matters have been decided on the procedures.

“From the timeline’s perspective, the MCMC will announce in the middle of next week,” he said.

Yesterday, Wan Saiful urged the government to include Perikatan Nasional in the formation of a media council as well as regulations regarding social media platforms and internet messaging services.

The Tasek Gelugor MP said this was due to distrust of the government on matters concerning freedom of speech.

Fahmi defended the licensing decision, saying that it was not all the government was doing to protect online spaces.

“It is part of the government's efforts to keep the internet faster, cheaper, wider, and safer,” he said,

In addition, he said the government will enact the Online Safety Act and launch an online safety campaign to raise awareness.

On July 30, Fahmi said he received positive feedback from social media platforms over the need for licensing.

Yesterday, however, Wan Saiful questioned the government’s priorities, pointing to the delay in setting up the media council, with a draft bill on the matter expected to be tabled in Parliament’s October session.

The government’s new regulatory framework for social media and internet messaging service providers, enforced under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, came into effect on Aug 1.

Service providers with over eight million users in Malaysia will have until Dec 31 to register for an “applications service provider class” licence before implementation is enforced on Jan 1, 2025.

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