Malaysia’s social media licensing initiative draws attention from other countries

KUCHING: The Malaysian government’s initiative to implement social media licensing has garnered significant attention from various countries, particularly the United Kingdom’s Office of Communications (Ofcom).

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that shortly after the social media regulatory framework was announced to come into effect next year, Malaysia was approached by the Western regulatory body for the first time to learn more about the licensing model.

He said that Malaysia might be the first mover in licensing social media platforms, thereby addressing the increasingly rampant cybercrimes.

“I was just informed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) that the UK communications regulator, Ofcom, contacted us to inquire about the implementation process. Singapore has also shown interest.

“At the Asean level, we actually held a roundtable session last May with all the regulatory bodies in Asean countries and beyond. And I believe when we hold the roundtable session next year hosted by MCMC, many will want to know the achievements and what we have successfully done based on the licensing process that will come into effect on Jan 1, 2025.

“So, it’s not just the UK; there are several other countries that are also interested,” he told reporters after attending the Ministry of Communication (Sarawak Zone) Excellent Service Awards 2023 at the P. Ramlee Auditorium, RTM Kuching, here on Thursday (Aug 8).

In his speech, Fahmi said that Malaysians suffered losses amounting to RM432 million last year due to online scams, solely on the Facebook platform.

Citing that Facebook was estimated to have earned USD600 million only from Malaysia, he expressed suspicion that the developers have a weak system in ensuring the safety of Malaysians.

As such, he said that with the implementation of social media licensing, it proves that the government will no longer compromise on the issue of cybercrimes, which also include cyberbullying and sexual crimes.

“Many governments worldwide feel that these big tech companies can no longer act at will, amassing wealth, making profits, not listening, not following regulations, and ignoring laws.

“Those days will soon be over. If these giant companies want to profit from Malaysia, they must comply with our laws,” he added.

On a different note, Fahmi lamented that the existing laws under the Penal Code are not clear and stringent enough in efforts to curb cyberbullying.

Besides appropriate punishment for offenders, Fahmi said the cabinet also agreed to form a special task force involving MCMC, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), and Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to draft or possibly amend existing laws so that the definition of cyberbullying can be interpreted more clearly.

“We do not want a situation where any party involved in cyberbullying receives too light a punishment. So, this is also an aspect being focused on – the definition and the punishment. This is what is being given attention.

“The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said is leading the effort to review the laws that need to be amended or created if they do not exist yet.

“And we hope that by the parliamentary session in October, we will have several laws that can be tabled, debated, and passed in parliament,” he said.