22-10-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) In a move that has sparked heated debate across Malaysia, the government has opened a 14-day public consultation period on a proposed code of conduct for social media platforms. This development comes as part of a broader initiative to implement a digital content licensing system, set to take effect in January 2024.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced on Tuesday that citizens, service providers, and industry stakeholders have until 5 November to submit their feedback on the draft guidelines. This consultation follows months of mounting tension between the government, tech companies, and free speech advocates over concerns about potential infringements on freedom of expression.
According to the MCMC, the primary objective of the code is to foster a safer online environment, with a particular emphasis on safeguarding children and vulnerable groups from harmful content. The commission stressed the critical nature of public input in shaping “the future of the online environment in Malaysia”.
The proposed policy, first unveiled in July, mandates that all social media and internet messaging services with at least 8 million registered users in Malaysia must obtain a licence or risk being blocked within the country. This measure has put major platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Telegram, and X (formerly Twitter) under increased scrutiny.
Malaysian authorities have long criticised these platforms for what they perceive as inadequate efforts to combat the proliferation of online scams, cyberbullying, and paedophilic content. However, the tech industry has pushed back against the new regulations, arguing they could stifle innovation and place undue burdens on businesses.
In August, the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), a lobby group representing international social media companies, penned an open letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, urging the government to reconsider the framework. The group described the proposed measures as “unworkable”. However, the letter was subsequently withdrawn following a demand from the MCMC for proof of the companies’ endorsement.
This latest development follows a recent controversy in September when the government abandoned a plan to divert internet traffic through government-controlled servers, effectively blocking access to websites deemed inappropriate. The proposal faced significant backlash from the public and tech community, who argued it threatened both free speech and Malaysia’s digital aspirations.
The current situation marks a significant departure from Malaysia’s initial approach to the digital age in the late 1990s when the country pledged not to censor the internet in a bid to attract foreign tech investment. However, successive administrations have gradually imposed various restrictions on internet access over the years.
