Report: Facebook restricts video on mining scandal, cites MCMC request

Facebook has reportedly restricted access to MalaysiaNow’s video containing an audio clip purportedly recorded at a meeting discussing an application for a coal mining exploration licence by a company linked to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former aide, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.

In a report today, the news portal claimed it received a notification from Facebook that the video will no longer be available to Facebook users in Malaysia.

“Because of a legal request from MCMC, we have to restrict access to your video,” read the purported screenshot of the notice.

Malaysiakini’s checks found that when the video is accessed from Malaysia, it would be replaced by a notice stating that “this content isn’t available at the moment”.

However, the video is still accessible by Facebook users overseas, or those using virtual private network servers located abroad.

The same video was also posted on several other social media platforms, where it is still accessible.

The audio clip featured in the video was allegedly recorded in a May 2024 meeting involving the Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) board, which is chaired by Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.

MalaysiaNow claimed that the recording proved Hajiji had voiced support for the company - Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd - linked to Farhash but there was purportedly some reservation expressed by state secretary Safar Untong.

Malaysiakini has reached out to Hajiji’s office and Farhash for comments regarding the clip.

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