KUALA LUMPUR: Guidelines for taking photos, videos or other content involving minors should be established, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today.
He said the proposal would be submitted to the authorities to curb manipulation or abuse related to images or videos of minors.
"I think there should be a briefing by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry on guidelines for us to record (photos, videos or content related to minors).
"For example, recording involving a large crowd, maybe that's okay.
"However, for recording that is specific, which shows the minors' school badges, this can certainly bring danger."
He said this after officiating the Hari-Hari Bola Carnival, Piala Madani Lembah Pantai, at Universiti Malaya.
Fahmi, who is the unity government's spokesperson, said he hoped all parties would exercise greater care regarding children's safety, such as by avoiding taking photos and videos of minors without parental permission.
"For example, the Federation of School Bus Associations Malaysia has issued guidelines to members to assure parents about their children's safety.
"Other parties, including teachers, need to play a role. Some people have shown students' faces without parental permission.
"So bus operators, teachers, and guardians should understand and be aware of the Children's Act and the MCMC Act."
Fahmi, who is Lembah Pantai member of parliament, said the same measures should be extended to other parties involved with minors to ensure their safety in online and offline activities.
Recently, a TikTok account named Abang Bas, which has more than 600,000 followers, called one of his passengers, believed to be a pupil, his 'kesayangan' (crush).
The post received backlash from parents, who said it was inappropriate and could be considered sexual harassment of children.
Yesterday, police arrested the 24-year-old school bus driver in Johor.
The driver's handphone has been seized.