Online Safety Bill not to curb freedom of speech - Azalina

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said has assured the Online Safety Bill will not restrict freedom of expression.

She refuted claims by some parties that the bill expected to be tabled in Parliament in October would nullify democracy by empowering the government to take down any information from social media platforms.

“How much (information) can the government remove? Remove on (platform) A, appear on (platform) B, C, and others. So how do you control 30 million users? The government cannot delete (information), it is impossible,” she said.

She was speaking at a press conference after Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi launched the International Legal Conference on Online Harms 2024 today.

However, Azalina said there should be a balance in the right to speak including not committing any offence that is subject to national law.

“But if you express yourself and your expression is causing harm, like slander or libel, there are many laws that would take you on that road. I cannot stop you from talking but you must be responsible for what you said,” she said.

Meanwhile, Azalina said the new law was enacted to educate the public about self-regulation, including steps to take when dealing with online security issues on social media or other online applications.

“We want to build an act where users have a ‘kill switch’... So now the control comes from you, how do you regulate or use the (social media) platform? This new law is not about regulating, it is about your duty, and what’s expected of you.

“The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is a regulator. They regulate system providers, but they cannot regulate people’s behaviour. That is why we have to come out with this new law on online safety,” she said.

Azalina said the conference, which was attended by the Spanish Ambassador to Malaysia Jose Luis Pardo, was the second phase in the drafting of the bill which the views of experts from other countries that have enforced laws related to online safety.

As the new law is quite technical, she said the third phase involved discussions with stakeholders including the public before being brought to the cabinet for approval and presented in Parliament.

Azalina said that although she will present the bill, its implementation and enforcement are under the Communications Ministry through MCMC.

- Bernama

MCMC 'categorically denies' AIC objections to social media licensing

MCMC to engage with platforms before licensing implementation

MCMC: Licensing of social media providers to ensure users' safety

DNS measures help ensure safer online experience – MCMC

Internet providers plug loophole for accessing blocked websites

KINIGUIDE | How do other countries regulate social media?