No plans to block unregistered social media platforms after Jan 1: Minister

PARLIAMENT | Putrajaya has no plan to block users’ access to social media platforms that fail to register for the annual social media licence, a regulatory framework that will be enforced beginning Jan 1.

This is according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil during Minister’s Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat this morning.

“For now, we are stressing that all platforms with over eight million users must register (for the licence).

“There are several actions we can take against the platforms under the Communications and Multimedia Act (if they fail to register), but at this juncture, the government has no intention to block access to the platforms.

“It would be the last, last, last resort. We don’t want to go down that path,” he said.

Fahmi (Harapan-Lembah Pantai) was responding to an additional question by Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor), who wanted to know if social media users in Malaysia can still have access to their accounts on platforms that fail to get their licence when the regulatory framework comes into effect.

In July, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that it will implement a new regulatory framework that compels social media and internet messaging services to apply for a licence.

The framework came into effect on Aug 1, but companies have until Jan 1 to get licensed or face punishment that can include fines and/or jail time if they continue to operate in Malaysia.

‘MPs must show good example to public’

Fahmi also reminded all MPs to show a good example to the rakyat in terms of safe internet use.

He chided certain MPs who previously cited unverified information obtained through social media platforms during their speeches in the Dewan Rakyat.

“Like what Kluang MP (Wong Shu Qi) said just now, sometimes we get information through WhatsApp, and this information is not necessarily true.

“So the online security aspects should also apply to us as MPs. We should be good examples to the rakyat.

"If we are not sure about the information we got, do not share them before verifying,” he said.

The minister also stressed the importance of improving digital literacy among users in Malaysia, saying that it is also critical to provide safe internet access, especially to children.

Fahmi shared the ministry’s experience in providing internet access to some remote areas, where residents of a village in Sabah were found to frequent unsavoury sites after their location was fitted with Starlink.

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