SHAH ALAM: Pas claims that nearly 20 TikTok videos were removed from the account of Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
Malaysiakini reported that Pas Selangor information chief Zurk Ahmad said the videos did not touch on 3R sensitivities (race, religion, and royalty).
Zurk claimed that dissent is being silenced under the current administration, leading to a decline in Malaysia's ranking on the World Press Freedom Index.
"If we fought, we are silenced. That is the consequence of speaking out under the Madani regime", he claimed.
He criticised the government's actions, suggesting they are failing and are resorting to silencing critics to maintain power.
TikTok, vital for PAS's outreach, is said to have removed the videos without notice.
Among the deleted videos were Ahmad Samsuri's speech to Terengganu footballers, which garnered 1.3 million views, and a debate in the Dewan Rakyat with 700,000 views.
Zurk questioned the reasons for their removal, hinting at fears of Ahmad Samsuri's popularity.
Additionally, two videos by former minister Khairy Jamaluddin, discussing the Blackrock stock purchases, were also removed.
Zurk implied that possible government directives were behind these actions, although Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil denied any orders for the removals.
"TikTok acknowledged receiving requests to delete more content in 2023.
"According to Meta, between July 2022 and June 2023, they have restricted access to over 3,500 pieces of content following reports from Malaysian regulators and government agencies.
"TikTok also removed 2,113 videos, including 325 upon requests from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)", Zurk said.