Fahmi denies involvement in removal of X posting labelling him as 'moron'

KUALA LUMPUR: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil denied ever instructing the social media platform X to remove a post which criticised him as being a "bloody moron."

He said the request to remove the posting on X did not come from his office.

"I saw a report on this (issue) and it mentioned that X had written to him (the social media user) to say that a particular post has breached the law.

"(However,) I have to make it very clear that I was not even aware of any posting made (by the social media user) and I am not offended (by such labellings).

"It is not an issue for me because it is his opinion and I can confirm that neither myself nor my officers lodged any report with the Malaysian Communication Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on this particular case," Fahmi told reporters after the launch of Pos Malaysia Bhd's special edition 'Palestine Merdeka' stamp here today.

Reporters asked him to comment on the matter and whether he had any involvement in the removal of the X post.

Earlier today, a social media user claimed that the government had requested that X, the platform previously known as Twitter, take down a posting that was critical towards Fahmi.

The social media user on Dec 12 in a posting on X labelled Fahmi a "bloody moron" and accused the latter of being Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's lackey.

The user was referring to the cabinet reshuffle announced by Anwar on Tuesday which saw the restructuring of the Communications and Digital Ministry into two separate ministries.

Fahmi said even if a complaint had lodged to the MCMC, he would not interfere in it because the commission acts independently.

"I also want to make it clear that MCMC receives complaints lodged by anyone, including the general public.

"I have also not spoken to them on this particular matter and generally, the commission also does not refer to me before taking any action as they are free (to operate).

"It could be the general public (who lodged the report) and I can confirm that I am not slightly affected (by the post made)."

He said the ministry was also focused on solving other pressing matters, such as illegal online gambling, dissemination of fake news as well as matters touching 3R (royal, race and religion) issues.