No govt censorship on social media posts, Teo says after rise in removals

PARLIAMENT | Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching denied claims that there is censorship from Putrajaya after a surge in removed content critical of the government from social media platforms.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Teo asserted that the government does not have control over social media companies and they do not take orders from Putrajaya.

“When MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) receives reports (on social media posts), we will request Facebook, TikTok, X and other platforms (to take them down).

“In the end, they will make their own decisions – whether they agree with MCMC and the government’s views.

“Facebook and TikTok are multinational companies, they don’t take orders from the government, they will do their own assessment, whether they agree with the government’s requests,” she said.

Teo added that the social media companies had previously rejected requests by the government to take down certain posts.

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

She was responding to a supplementary question by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda - Muar) on the reason behind the 40-fold increase in removed social media content in 2023 compared to 2022.

Syed Saddiq pointed out that over 4,000 social media content that was critical of the government had been taken down last year, compared to only 96 in 2022.

“Why is the government so afraid of the people’s criticism? How do you justify the meaning behind fake news?

“When Putrajaya MP (Radzi Jidin) criticised the sliding ringgit, it was authentic (news) and based on facts. However, when it reached two million views (on social media), it was banned.

“Is this the government’s new tactic, when it can’t answer criticisms on the weak ringgit and cost of living that pressure the people?” he asked.

In response, Teo quickly refuted Syed Saddiq’s claims, calling them baseless.

“They (social media companies) have their own community guidelines.

“Muar (Syed Saddiq) is an influencer, you should understand the issue.

“You believe TikTok would take orders from the Malaysian government? It doesn’t matter who sits in here (the government),” she stressed.

In March last year, TikTok Malaysia has assured that it will not adhere to orders from the government regarding its operations in content moderation.

Its public policy head Hafizin Tajudin added that the government has not attempted to interfere in its operations thus far.