KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Communications and Multimedia (Amendment) Bill 2024, paving the way for social media companies to be more proactive and accountable for harms occurring on their platforms.
The bill was tabled for the second reading by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today. It received approval after a bloc vote.
The bloc vote was called by Pasir Mas member of parliament Ahmad Fadhli Shaari.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said 59 MPs agreed, 40 disagreed and one abstained.
A total of 122 MPs were absent.
The bill was debated by 24 MPs.
The amendments seek to improve Section 233 of the act on the improper use of network facilities or services.
Under the amendment to paragraph 233(1)(a), a person who uses network services to knowingly create, solicit or transmit obscene, false, threatening or grossly offensive communications with the intent to annoy, abuse, harass or commit an offence involving fraud or dishonesty against others could be held liable.
The Communications Ministry is also seeking to introduce subsection (3) into the same section to provide for a different and higher punishment if the offence under Section 233(1)(a) has been committed against children under 18.
According to the bill, "obscene" content may include those that cause a feeling of disgust due to lewd portrayal, including but not limited to child sexual grooming, sexual degradation, portrayal of sex or pornography, rape and others.
During the second reading, Fahmi said the amendment was not intended to restrict freedom of speech.
He said the amendment should be viewed holistically and not just on the regulatory strengthening aspect.