KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) held an engagement session with tech companies today to address issues surrounding Domain Name System (DNS) redirection and correct public misconceptions.
In a statement, MCMC said that the session aimed to clarify DNS-related concerns and gather input from stakeholders, including experts, on alternative ways to mitigate online harms.
Topics discussed included DNS management and MCMC's efforts to combat harmful content through advocacy and collaboration with service providers.
A Q&A session was held for participants to share views and suggestions on proactively addressing DNS redirection.
MCMC said it hopes that such programmes would foster a better understanding of DNS redirection and help take concrete steps to protect internet users in Malaysia. The commission added that it plans to hold more engagement sessions on the issue in the future.
Participants praised the session as timely and a valuable platform to clear up confusion.
Khazanah Nasional (Managing Director's Office) Digital and Technology Division assistant vice-president Muhammad Zainul Arifin Zainuddin called it a sincere initiative, while Victor Tan, founder of Ascendant Enterprise, called for the expansion of these sessions to a wider audience.
The session was led by MCMC's chief network security officer, Datuk Dr Mohamed Sulaiman Sultan Suhaibuddeen, and chief legal counsel, LS. Leonard. It was also attended by key figures such as Syed Mokhsien Syed Mansor, head of MCMC's Network and Information Security Management Division, and Mohd Zabri Adil Talib from Cybersecurity Malaysia, along with representatives from tech companies.
Earlier, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said that no timeline has been set for further MCMC engagements on DNS redirection following the decision to pause its implementation.
She added it is important to have comprehensive consultations, especially with the tech community, and that it is necessary to take the time for proper decision-making.