Don’t abuse social media restrictions, KJ tells govt

 

Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on the Keluar Sekejap podcast that he felt social media was currently ‘out of control’. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin has asked the government to provide assurances that planned regulations on social media and internet messaging services will not stifle legitimate debate and discourse.

In the latest episode of his Keluar Sekejap podcast, Khairy said he supported the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) 

noble effort

 requiring social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia to apply for a licence.

The former health minister said he felt social media is currently 

out of control

, adding that there also seemed to be a lack of monitoring with regards to content that is uploaded, promoted and spread on such platforms.

He said social media platforms are increasingly filled with scams, online fraud and cyberbullying.

Khairy also highlighted research about the negative effects of social media platforms on the cognitive development and mental health of youth and children, adding that certain platforms had been known to promote sexual violence.

I don’t like it when communication platforms have no rules or regulations… And are not being monitored at all. So I support this (MCMC’s) move,

 he said.

“But there are fears that the regulations could be part of efforts to restrict freedom of expression or space for discussions.

How will the government guarantee that these regulations will not close the room for legitimate political debate, criticism and discussions?

Last Saturday, MCMC announced that all social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a licence.

In a statement, MCMC said the new regulations would apply to social media platforms, and not users, and were likely to affect platforms such as WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, WeChat, Snapchat, and Line.

MCMC said the licence would be introduced on Aug 1, with enforcement effective from Jan 1 next year. The new policy is aimed at creating a safer internet environment for children and families.

Failure to obtain a licence after the effective date would be an offence, which can be punishable under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

The commission said the new regulatory framework was in line with the Cabinet’s decision that social media services and internet messaging services must comply with Malaysian laws to combat the rise in cybercrime offences including scams and online fraud, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes against children. - FMT